CHAPTER 1 



INTRODUCTION TO COASTAL ENGINEERING 



I. OVERVIEW OF COASTAL ENGINEERING AND THE SPM 



The Shore Protection Manual (SPM) assembles in a single source the current 

 state-of-the-art of coastal engineering to provide appropriate guidance for 

 application of techniques and methodology to the solution of coastal design 

 problems. As the state-of-the-art advances, the manual is periodically 

 revised. This is the fourth edition of the SPM and the seventh major revision 

 of this material since its predecessor report "Shore Protection, Planning 

 and Design" (TR-4) was originally published (U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, 

 1954). 



Coastal engineering, a specialized branch of the engineering profession, is 

 a composite of the many physical science and engineering disciplines having 

 application in the coastal area. Coastal engineering addresses both the 

 natural and man-induced changes in the coastal zone, the structural and non- 

 structural protection against these changes, and the desirable and adverse 

 impacts of possible solutions to problem areas on the coast. Although the SPM 

 focuses primarily on shore protection, i.e., coastal works designed to stabi- 

 lize the shores against erosion due principally to water wave action, most of 

 the material is also applicable to the design of harbor works and navigation 

 channel improvements. 



Because the nature and complexity of most coastal problems vary widely with 

 location, the proper solution of any specific problem requires a systematic 

 and thorough study. The first requisite for such a study is a clear 

 definition of the problem, the causes, and the objectives to be met by the 

 solution. Ordinarily, there will be more than one method of achieving the 

 immediate objectives. Therefore, the immediate and long-term effects of each 

 method should be studied, not only within the problem area but also in adja- 

 cent shore areas. All physical and environmental effects, advantageous and 

 detrimental, should be considered in comparing the overall cost, including 

 annual maintenance, and benefits to determine the justification of protection 

 methods. 



The SPM provides sufficient introductory material and engineering 

 methodology to allow a person with an engineering background to obtain an 

 understanding of coastal phenomena and to solve related engineering problems. 

 The manual includes detailed summaries of applicable methods, techniques, and 

 useful data pertinent to the solution of coastal engineering problems. 



Chapter 1 presents a basic introduction to the subject. Chapter 2, 

 "Mechanics of Wave Motion," reviews wave theories, wave refraction and 

 diffraction, wave reflection, and breaking waves. Chapter 3, "Wave and Water 

 Level Predictions," discusses wave forecasting and the water level fluctua- 

 tions caused by tides, storm surges, and tsunamis. Chapter 4, "Littoral 

 Processes," examines the characteristics and sources of littoral material, 

 nearshore currents, littoral transport, and sand budget techniques. Chapter 

 5, "Planning Analyses," treats the functional planning of shore protection 

 measures. Chapter 6, "Structural Features," illustrates the structural design 



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