Course Modules

Course 1: Fundamentals of Coastal Engineering and Protection Systems

• Coastal processes: tides, waves, currents, erosion

• Types and functions of coastal defence structures

• Overview of breakwaters: rubble mound, caisson, floating

• Shoreline management approaches

• Case Discussion: Historic coastal defence failures and lessons learned

Course 2: Wave Mechanics and Hydrodynamic Forces

• Wave theory (linear and nonlinear)

• Wave transformation, diffraction, and refraction

• Wave run-up, overtopping, and breaking

• Calculating design wave parameters (significant wave height, period)

• Exercise: Wave loading scenarios for breakwater design

Course 3: Rubble Mound Breakwater Design

• Structural components: core, filter, armour, toe protection

• Empirical design methods (Hudson, Van der Meer)

• Armour unit types: natural rock, concrete units (e.g., tetrapods, Accropode)

• Stability analysis and scour protection

• Hands-On: Preliminary design of a rubble mound breakwater

Course 4: Caisson and Vertical Wall Breakwater Design

• Caisson types: gravity, cellular, monolith

• Hydraulic forces on vertical walls

• Uplift, overturning, and sliding checks

• Construction techniques and geotechnical considerations

• Design Exercise: Vertical caisson structure for exposed site

Course 5: Coastal Defence Alternatives – Revetments, Groynes, and Seawalls

• Shoreline erosion control measures

• Toe scour, filter layers, and slope stability

• Groyne field design for littoral drift control

• Seawall design for wave energy reflection

• Comparative analysis: hard vs. soft engineering solutions

Course 6: Climate Resilience and Risk-Based Coastal Design

• Sea level rise, storm surge, and climate adaptation

• Probabilistic vs. deterministic design approaches

• Freeboard, resilience metrics, and adaptation pathways

• Design Life Cycle Assessment and upgrade planning

• Group Activity: Redesign coastal structure for sea level rise

Course 7: Geotechnical and Structural Considerations

• Foundation design and bearing capacity

• Seabed scour protection and geotextiles

• Soil-structure interaction for coastal structures

• Modelling foundation behaviour in soft sediments

• Case Study: Geotechnical failure of a coastal defence system

Course 8: Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for coastal structures

• Sediment transport and water quality considerations

• Marine biodiversity and habitat protection

• Regulatory frameworks (e.g., EPA, NEMA, international guidelines)

• Discussion: Sustainable coastal development policies

Course 9: Coastal Modelling and Design Tools

• Introduction to design software (e.g., DHI MIKE, XBeach, SWAN, STAAD.Pro)

• Simulation of wave-structure interaction

• Use of design spreadsheets and tools for stability and overtopping analysis

• Interpreting model output and refining design

• Demo: 2D model of wave interaction with breakwater structure

Course 10: Capstone Project and Final Assessment

• Group-based design challenge: breakwater for a high-energy coast

• Apply wave data, design methods, structural layouts, and environmental considerations

• Presentation and peer feedback

• Summary of best practices and review of key concepts

• Final Q&A, certification, and closure