Effects Of Breakwater In The Civil Engineering Field Construction Essay

Effects Of Breakwater In The Civil Engineering Field plait EssayProblems of erosion, diminution in shorelines, disappearance of beaches, and milieual impresss produce led to the recession of many economies around the world. To resolve, engineers endure devised man made structures deal mols and piers to address a medley of coastal problems such as shelter, fishing, docking and coast line recession. While these problems ar resolved, new ones emerge when bulwarks and jetties ar constructed in the beas. Clearly, jetty engine room and cogitate civil design fields ar still at their rudimentary level, despite the fact that these structures have been in use since age old. In the succeeding(a) study, the queryer carries taboo investigation into the hydrodynamics of breakwaters, and their engineering aspects, with the view to gain insight into their importance to civil engineering fields. The inquiryer aims to explore, evaluate and analyse the conflict of breakwaters on e ngineering professions, and ways that their knowledge limits or opens up new channels for engineering innovation. The events are compiled, and the researcher concludes that breakwater engineering has great kitchen range in contributing to civil engineering knowledge, issued that its image and applications are researched further.Chapter 1 IntroductionBackground and RationaleA coast is a geological system that is subject to constant movement and change. Shorelines, beaches, and coastal areas in effect affect tender-hearted lives, and vice versa. The diverse and complex character of the coastal system is the anyow of processes involving shivers, tides, currents and winds that affect the geological state of the coast in an strain to keep a balance between land and water. However, these are not the only factors that find out and shape coastlines. human activities for economic and social purposes contribute towards its modifications. Natural processes, coupled with human inter vention, contribute towards erosion, depositaryation, and accretion (Hsu, Lin, and Tseng 2007). In fact, according to French (1997), human activities tote up about changes that influence the environment adversely by creating new habitat and decreasing environment stability.Though not all changes affect the environment adversely, that the intrinsic processes are affected by the un inherent conditions. Coasts and estuaries are not indifferent towards human intervention where a range of variations in their structure and environment peck alter the geological, oceanological and shipboard soldier system therein. Added to this status is the fact that coasts have become the ideal place for human population, industrialisation, commercialisation transportation etc. Human has, in effect, taken over to develop coastal areas to act as shelters, ports, docks, and for many an opposite(prenominal) activities. The pressure for public assistanceting human lives has inevitably changed the environment drastically towards degradation. To compensate, a host of management strategies have been undertaken to operate, manage and sustain coastal areas, to control the activities and maintain a balance between nature and mankind (dAngremond and van Roode 2004). atomic number 53 of these management control methods is building of breakwaters and jetties. Jetties and offshore breakwaters are man made structures radiation diagramed to protect coastal areas from the natural and unnatural recession of the shoreline. Breakwaters are everydayly built parallel to the shore or at an angle to direct effective thrive action from its destructive impact on the shoreline. Jetties, on the other hand, are built with the purpose to prevent erosion of the introduction or harbour area. Offshore breakwaters provide shelter as they are built base on revolve refraction and diffraction (Putnam and Arthur, 1948). Similarly, groins are structures built to face seawards and at an angle to slope a t the same angle as the normal beach. Groins are built at an elevation above datum to act as the stabilising structure and to increase the width of the beach by clutch the shore drift in part or as a whole (Paige 1950). Apart from these, coastal areas are subjected to geological problems such as natural processes including coastal erosion, deposition, sedimentation, tsunami, tidal seethes etc. These require human intervention to protect and conserve human and natural habitat. For these purposes, an engineering field called coastal engineering has been introduced in the academic arena for enhancing the knowledge and skills of professionals to develop coastal areas with minimal damage to the natural and man made environment.coastal engineering involves developing and protecting animate coastal security work with the view to predict future natural coastal processes. Comprehending the nature and value of coastal processes, enables engineers to devise plans and strategies to protect these processes better. Moreover, knowledge of the coastal condition helps professionals in the field to construct, facilitate and execute better breakwater plait. Breakwater construction is a field that is directly related with coastal engineering.However, it withal has close relations with other engineering fields like geology, construction, environment and computer engineering. It is within this context, that the researcher shall be investigating the importance of breakwater engineering and the ways it affects the engineering field.Aims and ObjectivesThe aim of this dissertation is to investigate how breakwaters and their construction affect various civil engineering fields. The objective is toa. Identify the various civil engineering fields that breakwaters affect b. Evaluate how breakwaters impact civil engineering professionals and c. Study how the knowledge of breakwater construction adds to the skill knowledge of engineersScope and LimitationsThe research, in essence, is n ot a pure scientific empirical study, but rather an exploratory one. The researcher is aware that in exploring the dynamics of breakwater engineering, he/she go away have to link civil engineering techniques and skills, which makes it a successful defence structures for both, humans and naval behavior. In this context, the study shall limit its discussion to the various fields breakwater construction entails, and shall not delve extensive into any particular field which concerns its engineering perspectives, such as marine action or construction engineering. However, it will touch upon these topics byway, to enumerate on its role and effects on the engineering field. Audience readers shall find the study insightful and enlightening as it would provide the numerous aspects that coastal engineering of breakwaters impact. However, academics and scholars shall find the content of the study limiting as it shall not be holistically technical foul. Fellow students shall find the disser tation a good stepping treasure for furthering their research into areas of specialisation like geological engineering, construction engineering and so on. Nevertheless, the dissertation shall aim to address the social and scientific aspects of breakwaters.Outline of DissertationTo strain the above objectives, the researcher shall endeavour to carry out the study in the following mannerChapter 1 shall introduce the background and the rationale for the study. Chapter 2 shall provide the theoretical background based on an extensive literature review on the aspects of the study outlined above. Chapter 3 shall outline the methodologies considered and the rationale for the chosen research approach. Chapter 4 will be the analysis segment in which the researcher shall evaluate the data gathered, and discuss with the aim to acquire conclusive results. Chapter 5 shall be the conclusion to the research, offering insights gained from the research, summarising whether the researcher has accom plished the objectives or not, and perhaps some recommendations for future research.Chapter 2 Literature Review IntroductionBreakwaters and standardised coastal structures are human interventions, which are exposed to strong pothers, currents and other marine processes. The construction of such structures needs to be enduring, as comfortably as fitting, with the natural environment. The design and construction of breakwaters and interrelated structures betoken that knowledge of pure engineering alone is not practical. In fact, it requires consideration for various empirical and theoretical knowledge for its design. To the expiration of this knowledge, the researcher is of the view that civil engineering relating to large scale hydraulic structures has developed considerably. According to dAngremond and van Roode (2004), coastal problems of erosion, tides and currents have existed since the beginning of civilisation. However, the management of these movements and problems have g ained considerable attention today due(p) to the commercialization and population of coastal areas around the world. For these reasons, problems such as sea level rise, tidal asymmetry, sedimentation compute etc. need to be tackled. These are carried out through careful coastal defence and management practices, and engineering skills, which shall be discussed in the following sections.Coastal EngineeringOcean jolts are generated by wind and propagated from the ocean towards the shoreline. The orbital motions of wave kinematics influence the discretions and heights of the ocean bed. Near shore ocean beds are greatly impacted by the velocities and the wave strengths. As a result, sediment beds often change in topography due to continuous impact of the fluid forces of waves. sediment response or impact is negligible, but, in effect, compound the problem of sediment transportation to and away from the local beach. The scale, depth, and extent of the influence of the waves on the be ach whitethorn and may not result in coastal degradation. For these reasons, detailed investigation on the continental shelves, fluid dynamics, near shore motion and variation of ocean topography are required in hallow to monitor and maintain the natural barrier to land. When the problems of natural erosion and sedimentation become too great to manage, measures like construction of barriers, semiaquatic shoals, breakwaters and artificial headlands are undertaken to sustain the environment (Birbena et al 2006). Construction of this nature is triggered by defence planning, storm handling and flood prevention. In fact, coastal defence system and management require formation of framework for projects to be planned, investigated and implemented to meet the needs of the environment and its people. These are the civil aspects of coastal engineering (French 1997). Not only this structures like breakwaters also require continuous monitor and protection work to predict future performance. This is carried out through coastal engineering processes such as modelling to estimate the changing environment and angle of repose of shorelines, site investigation to study the roulette wheels of hydrographic and marine life status, as well as processing these to build a profile for the shorelines on which breakwaters are constructed. For example, in Iskander et als study (2007), the authors studied and developed a monitoring model for studying coastal structure a farsighted the El Agami area of Egypt. The study indicates that where breakwaters exist, shoreline fluctuates, marine life is impacted, as well as wave hydraulics. Coastal engineers need to record and study the gradual change that takes place due to the presence of breakwaters. Issues concerning wave distribution, shoreline sand composition, coastal calibration, marine survey, and effect on the harbours population are taken into account. Apart from these, breakwaters also affect the coastal structure such as villages, ports, or other such human activities (Iskander et al 2007). Furthermore, coastal engineers also need to look into that the construction of breakwaters and estuaries does not adversely affect human activities as a result of design fault of these structures. For example, in Donnell et als article (2006), the authors indicate that the breakwaters on Tedious Creek estuary on the shoreline of Chesapeake Bay in Dorchester County, MD caused substantial damage to local vessels than the benefits it provided for its shelters. The setup of breakwaters is aimed at protecting the boat dock and public piers from storms, but, in reality, the projects design fault has resulted in under performance, both in functionality and structure to benefit the locals. It is in instances such as these that coastal engineers need to be ascertain(p)ed of the need and importance for breakwater structures. Similarly, breakwaters can also result in beach morphology that efficaciously negates the protection object ive when breakwaters are constructed with limited knowledge applied relating to practical engineering. Accurate study of the shore area through cross shore distribution, large shore sedimentation transport rates and performance of breakwaters in advance, as well as using model calibration and validation, hydrodynamic module, wave modules etc. could positively affect the performance of the structures. Therefore, coastal engineers are responsible for studying the wave conditions, down drift side, expected erosion and current patterns behind submerged breakwater, to gauge incident waves. These mechanisms, according to Ranasinghe and Sato (2007), can relatively influence the function and utility of breakwaters function. Thus, coastal engineering is greatly influenced by the type and design of breakwaters structures.Construction engineeringBreakwaters and such coastal structure construction combine design and functionality with the view to protect the coastal area. The design process is similar to morphologic design of buildings as it entails paying attention to functional requirements, limitations of the state of the structure, exposure, construction phases and occurrence of natural conditions. Breakwaters also require considerations for knowledge of construction materials including quarry stone, concrete blocks, caissons and similar types of materials to apply to its construction. Equipments for both floating and rolling breakwaters too need to be studied and related to the specificity of the breakwaters site, function and design. The development of breakwaters also requires functional and structural monitoring of performance, with enduring characteristics. According to Camfield and Holmes (1995), coastal structures like breakwaters and jetties are influenced by long periods of water level changes. They need to be built parallel to the entrances, in an attempt to stabilise entrances and safe navigation. Construction along the shore should be carried out with th e direction of the channel in mind, to prevent migration of channel thalweg, rapid shoaling and erosion of the coastline (Morang 1992 qt. Camfield and Holmes 1995). This is because construction of jetties and breakwaters often creates a new equilibrium for the tidal system. For this purpose, surveys of adjacent shorelines, natural bypass and the material that may ebb tidal activities need to be carried out for effective construction of the structures aligned with the regional dynamic and hydraulic processes. Construction engineering approach such as cross sectional descent of inlet and tidal prism, as well as depths of the jetties and breakwaters, and water flows are studied before determination the ideal balance between performance, flow conditions, and natural marine activities.Knowledge of construction material, as mentioned earlier, is imperative for choosing and designing breakwaters to complement the need of the local landscape and environment. Since breakwaters are made up of rubble mounds or caissons or are concrete filled, knowledge of construction material adds to the skills required for developing structures for dispersing wave currents to minimise impact, as well as conserve energy from wave hydraulics where possible (Arena and Filianoti 2007). Not only this new construction material knowledge also provides an edge over the design and planning of the breakwater fit unit. Reedijk et al (2008), for example, indicate that the development of Xbloc by Delta Marine Consultants in 2001 has innovated armour concepts in terms of designs, tests and prototypes. Xbloc are concrete blocks designed to armour shore protection and are being used in breakwater construction actively by engineers today. Muttray et al (2003), in their study of the suitability of Xbloc in breakwater construction, indicate that Xbloc are shaped to suit the harsh environmental conditions of waves, and such hydraulic activities. When placed interlocked with each other, Xblocs not only reduce concrete volumes, but also execute the stability required for achieving breakwaters impact from wave loads and damage (Muttray et al 2003 Reedijk et al (2008). Added to this fact is the cost of layering breakwaters with Xbloc, which is significantly reduced as compared to other armour blocks.Furthermore, coastal protection design and construction require development and use of probabilistic design tools to gauge uncertainties, prediction of wave impact, as well as structure stability. One of the main concerns for construction engineers is that the structures can sustain its functionality for coastal protection, regardless of the wave conditions and transubstantiations of water bodies. The basic premise is that wave transmutation in foreshores and offshore areas cannot be relied upon through model designs. In fact, it requires construction engineers to have knowledge of coastal shores by using prediction models for wave transformation to study the effect of wave height, set up and distribution before designing the breakwater and jetty structures (Muttray et al 2001 Coduto 1999). Consideration for these aspects would help design structures to achieve its long term goals, as well as retain beach composition from long shore transport processes.Analytical engineeringBreakwaters are constructed based on engineering approaches and processes that exploit the nature of wave parameters and hydraulics. According to Huizinga (2003), breakwater engineering often fails after 5 to 10 years as a result of poor design. Engineers fail to grasp the concept of breakwater designs and modelling, which uses propagation of water around of breakwater with the assumptions that water is the ideal fluid and incompressible. Waves are small in amplitude and can be analysed using the linear wave theory. Their flow is usually rotational, which can be analysed through Laplace equations. Breakwaters depth is constant and its dynamics are determined by diffraction, refraction or consi deration (Huizinga 2003).Diffraction analysis takes into account of the water height, and the interaction of breakwater and waves. The wave energy is assumed to disperse as the waves come into contact lens with breakwater structures, which could be understood using linear diffraction theory. In this context, a rubble mound breakwater is a diametric form, with certain density and diameter designed to disperse wave motion. The velocity of the waves is retarded by its action, in contact with the breakwater. The change in direction of the wave affects the sediment supply, composition, wave properties, topography, and breakwater properties. Therefore, the variables in the breakwater interaction change in response to the caisson. The underlying assumption set forth is that the physical movement of breakwater is associated with the wave action, the permeability of the breakwater surface, seabed composition and response of the breakwater over a long period of time (Huizinga 2003 Twu and Ch ieu 2000).Alternatively, wave reflection and wave run up is the model for analysing breakwater through a cross section and slopes. In this method of engineering, wave reflection is determined by the 3 guage method. Wave conditions comprise of relative depth, height, steepness, and breaker index. Measurement of wave conditions is accomplished by analysing its reflection at the seaward direction when the wave surface comes into contact with the structure and foreshore. The water surface comes into contact with the breakwater as a toe and an anti knot. The wave run up and run down impact the breakwaters wave resistance. When engineers analyse the efficacy and effectiveness of breakwater, they study the angle of the incident wave, as well as its reflection coefficient, to determine the impact of regular wave action. The analysis is critical for gauging the significance of wave run up and run down on breakwater surfaces, and inevitably its longevity. This is achieved by using the higher order wave theory for assimilating waves and horizontal seabed asymmetry. Furthermore, wave reflection measurement is determined by its dynamics such as local wave height, wave pressure, wave energy dissipation and wave penetration into the structure (Muttray and Oumeraci 2002). How waves break or non break is hooked on the breakwater slope and the reflection set for critical wave incident impact (Clyne and Mullarkey 2008).These analytical approaches are various forms of analytical engineering, which are engaged to evaluate the strength, longevity, efficacy and effectiveness of the breakwater functionality. Alternatives in analytical engineering, therefore, help construction of the breakwaters more effective, as they establish the baseline for stabilisation potential, as well as extend the life rung of the structure (Wiegel 1962).Environment engineeringBreakwaters and jetties are engineering solutions to resolve the problem of erosion and sedimentation of shorelines. These are con structed with the view to sustain the shoreline, and in turn benefit the local human communities. Just as breakwaters and jetties affect the hydraulic system of the areas, they also produce long and short term impacts on marine life. hydrodynamic conditions, sedimentation patterns, wave motion, physical and chemical factors tend to alter the composition and nature of the habitat. Not only this the habitat tends to change in its characteristics and life cycle due to the change induced by the presence of breakwaters. No doubt, there is an imperative relationship between biological life form and breakwater structures. scour though breakwaters are developed with the objective to provide shelter to marine life, as well as harbour for human activities, the type of alleviation, shoaling and access to aquatic floral and faunal also gets impacted when breakwaters are constructed without careful monitoring of quality, composition and marine lifecycle. In fact, construction of breakwaters for creating inlets often results in floral and faunal morphology of marine life due to the quality of sand, water chemical properties and the wave action. Water temperature, with variation through seasonal change, substantially affects the fish population, as well as other marine life forms. For example, the components of macrozoobenthos, algaes and polychaetous worms densities change (increase/decrease) according to the increasing or decreasing water depth. Thus, construction of breakwater tends to adversely affect the micro constituents of marine biology (Biological effects of breakwater construction 1985).At times, colonisation of fishes within the vicinity is affected due to the elevated turbiditys and suspended solids concentrates near the breakwater. Moreover, maintenance of the depth of entrance to the area, and exposure of the same, can alter the sustenance level of fish populations. By streamlining the natural sand bypass, the morphological performance can be modify to simul ate waves, currents and sediment transport, which corresponds with the marine life processes (Broker et al 2007). The reliability of the effect of breakwater calibration process ensures that the constructed structure does not hinder marine life forms. For this purpose, marine engineering knowledge, combined with the breakwater development know how, can help local engineers to establish dynamic coastal structures to fit within the parameters of the natural environment.Risks and failuresWhile it is clear that breakwaters have their own functionality and utility for which they are used to sustain beach line sustainability and continuity, they are also risky.The utility and functionality of breakwaters and jetties depend on the model, material and simulation upon which they have been based. Measurement for their horizontal and vertical fluid velocities, breakwater composition (porous or non porous), energy dissipation rate and modification intensity, all contribute towards its impenetra ble nature. However, any variation and standard deviation in the design such as surface elevation, velocity variation, calibration, and structure permeability can result in its wear and breakage. According to Kobayashi et al (2007), breakwater permeability can affect its situation in the beach zone, effectiveness in eliminating serious wave impact and structural longevity. In fact, breakwater transformation as a result of wave load, pressure and velocity can lead to shattering. This is dependent on the design of the breakwater and its sensitivity and test against breaker ratio. Steepness of seaward slope, wave breaking motion, and wave parameters greatly influence the structure, to the extent of predicting its posture (Kobayashi et al 2007).In fact, Oumeraci et al (2006) are of the view that analysis of saturation due to liquefaction phenomena in sand gravity structure tends to increase the risk of structural failure. Vertical breakwaters, especially, are vulnerable to permanent de formation of the subsoil, which leads to irreversible strains at the peak stress level. As a result, breakwaters structures can give way to wave load induced by the fluctuation in pressure along the seabed and the pore pressure in the concrete itself. Failure of such monumental nature affects the stability, composition, and cyclic mobility.Failure is also the result of the nature of the breakwater structure, whether it is designed for offshore or onshore coastal defence. It is greatly influenced by the depth, and nature of the sand composition underneath the seabed upon which the breakwater is constructed. The relative density of the sand, pressure of the fluid, as well as storm yield, all contribute towards its resolution (Oumeraci et al. 2001).Apart from these physical risks and failures, breakwaters are also vulnerable in terms of their effect on marine life forms. Changing chemical composition due to displacement of fauna colonisation, as well a toxicity of the structures alon g the sediment banks, can result in breakwater biota fluctuations. While the human benefits of breakwaters last for 5 to 10 years, the long term effects of marine life cycle and fishery can alter the nature of the coast wholly if careful engineering approaches are not undertaken for the construction of breakwaters (Biological effects of breakwater construction 1985).ConclusionThe above discussion has been carried out with the view to provide an overview of the relationship between breakwater construction and its impact on engineering fields. While engineering is a vast discipline, in this study the researcher has included engineering fields related to the construction of breakwaters and their maintenance. The discussion indicates that breakwater structures are not merely coastal construction monuments, but have multidimensional impact on the physical, biological and human life. For this purpose, engineering and designing of these structures need to be analysed, planned and implemen ted with care, for its impact.Chapter 3 Research MethodologyThe nature of research problem determines the prize of its methods. Before one chooses the research method, its objectives, audience and underlying assumptions should be justified. The methodologies are then weighed and evaluated to justify for its choice. The theoretical perspective of the study should provide the background reality, as well as the constituent for increasing readers knowledge. Within these dimensions epistemology is concerned with providing a philosophical grounding for deciding what kinds of knowledge are possible and how we can ensure that they are both adequate and legitimate (Crotty 1998). The epistemology, therefore, allows the researcher to decide the application and the underlying academic literature that is required for adding knowledge to the existing consciousness. Generally, there are two options objectivism and constructionism. The objectivistic approach entails the investigation of existing k nowledge and spanning it to extend its consciousness. The aim is to discover the objective truth. On the other hand, the constructionist approach entails the research which requires interaction with the world, and finding the truth in the process.Underlying the constructionist approach is the premise that research endeavours need to explore views from multiple angles before deciding on the objective truth. This approach is grounded in the soft methodology (Crotty 1998 qt. Levy 2006). Alternatively, researchers in the applied field usually conduct research based on quantitative methods that entail action research and evaluations for studying particular aspects and issues. The premise for choosing action research is to endeavour to capture the reality with certain degree of control on the phenomena under research. Although, the nature of the coastal engineering field mandates that research activities be subject to quantitative empirical methods whereby researchers carry out extensive action research strategies and processes.However, in this case, the researcher has opted for the qualitative approach as it complements the nature and topic under discussion. Whereas the study of breakwater is pragmatic, the exploration of its connection and impact on the engineering field is qualitative in nature. Furthermore, to understand the implications of breakwaters and their effect on civil engineering profession, investigation into the subjective views of experts within the field is required, rather than engaging in empirical research to achieve its findings.Having said that, the researcher is also aware that qualitative research requires a image for basing the enquiry. According to Gummesson (2000), a paradigm is a very general conceit of the nature of scientific endeavours within which a given enquiry is undertaken (p.18). It is a world view which allows the researcher to base his/her research outcomes and understanding. Research paradigms can be divided into positivis t, which is characterised by the world as the external dimension and must be researched through facts and fundamental laws, and by studying concepts through sampling. On the other hand, the phenomenological paradigm involves the social construction of the subject, and characterised by the understanding of the totality of the situation by investigating the issue through established phenomena. For the current study, the researcher shall bear the phenomenological paradigm for analysing the effect of breakwaters on the engineering field. The rationale is based on the premise that even though through the course of discussion some technical and practical aspects shall be discussed, the analysis shall regard the ideology, decision logic and utility behind breakwaters and their link with civil engineering fields. While the researcher is aware that the phenomenological paradigm is not suited for engineering and scientific research, he/she also has the understanding that research of this qua litative nature