Introduction to Coastal Engineering

After participating in the course, you will be able to:

• Learn coastal engineering principles and apply your knowledge in solving problems of erosion and shoreline instability

• Understand a evaluate the design of various shore protection structures

• Anticipate the effects of climate change on Ocean, sea, and lake coasts

Description

Coastal engineering is a fairly new subject. The coastal problems are exasperated due to climate change as well as human interference in shore stability. Problem-solving depends mainly on understanding the latter effects. 

Although the course covers the design of shore protection structures, attendants may follow the procedure regardless of their academic and professional background. There is no sophisticated algebra or complex formulas. Participants are expected to easily understand the fundamentals of this field of engineering and to be interested in understanding the phenomena of climate change and coastal problem-solving. 

Field data and study cases will clearly illustrate the handling of coastal subjects.

Course Outline

• Waves and currents

• Sediment transport

• Effect of climate change on coastal stability

• Methods of shore protections

• Design of various shore protection structures

• Mathematical simulation and physical models

• Study and field cases

Who Should Attend

Engineers & Architects  •  Contractors  • Government & City Officials  •  People Living on Coast Line or Owning a Property Near the Shore  •  Property Managers & Real Estate Representatives  •  Others Interested to Know About Climate Change & Its Effect On Our Shore Line & Coasts

Special Features and Requirements

Participants are not expected to have previous knowledge about coastal engineering. It may be easier for engineers to understand but non-engineers also can greatly benefit from the course as climate change is affecting our life in different ways. Civil engineers may review their elementary soil mechanics course prior to attending the course. It is not recommended to look at shore protection manuals before attending the course since these manuals require a good understanding of coastal engineering subjects.

Covered topics 

General

• Coastal line

• Coastal shapes and types

• Shoreline change

• Coastal stability

• Climate change

Waves

• Wave motion

• Wave Characteristics

• Relationship between wave characteristics

• Types of waves, deep waves, broken waves, translatory waves

• Prediction of waves

• Wave refraction

• Wave diffraction

• Wave forces

• Effect of wave action on coastal stability

• Erosion and sedimentation due to wave action

• Change of wave characteristics due to climate change

Water levels

• Lowest low water level

• Highest high water level

• High water level

• Low water level

• Mean water level

• Effect of climate change on water level

Currents

• Definition of current

• Types of currents

• Effect of current on coastal stability

• Sediment transport

• Sources of current

• Effect of climate change on current

• Erosion and sedimentation due to current

• Effect of climate change on current

Shore Protection Methods and Structures

• Sand nourishment

• Stone nourishment

• Sea walls

• Parallel rubble mound break water

• Detached break water

• Groins

• Floating breakwater

• Suspended breakwater

• Submerged breakwater

• Combined breakwater

Design of Emerged (Elevated) Breakwater

• Width of the crest

• Armor layer

• Slopes

• Levels

• Settlement

• Slope stability

Design of Submerged Breakwater

• Armor layer 

• Width and depth of the crest

• Slopes

• Transmitted waves

• Distance between the breakwater and shoreline

• Erosion due to submerged breakwater

Design of Groins

• Groin cross section

• Groin length and inclination

• Groin spacing

• Groin side effect

Design of Sea Wall

• Wave forces

• Earth pressure

Design of Suspended Breakwater

• Pile group

• Suspended wave breaker

Design of Compound Structure

• Dimension of berm

• Breakwater design

Field Data and Study Cases

Problems and Discussion 

Dates (3 days online course)

October 1, 2025 (8:30 am to 4:00 pm) 

October 2, 2025 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) 

October 3, 2025 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) 

Instructor

Dr.Bahaa ElSharnouby

Dr. ElSharnouby has been a Professor of harbour and marine engineering since 1995. He is the owner and Director of TEO Consulting office. He obtained his master's degree from McMaster University in 1980 and his Ph.D. degree in 1984 from Western University. He has been involved in numerous marine projects dealing with harbour and coastal engineering for more than thirty years. He also participated in publishing scientific research articles and supervising many Master's and Ph.D. students. He registered for three patents related to shore protection and climate change. He handled hundreds of marine and coastal projects and specialized in planning, design, and supervision of coastal and harbour engineering. Examples of these projects include Gargoub commercial and military harbours, enhancing and development of Kuwait ports, shore protection of Alexandria shoreline, and environmentally friendly suspended breakwater for the Egyptian north coast of Egypt.

Registration deadline

September 1, 2025

Registration Fees

2100$ (Tax excluded)