In some cases, the research confirmed the effectiveness of the designs. This included replicating quarried stone materials and concrete blocks shaped to form tide pools, and assessing their effectiveness in turbulent aquatic conditions. "NRC researchers built 3D scale models of the breakwater designs to evaluate their performance," says Marrone. "At this point, we knew we had to test it in a physical model."Īfter requesting proposals from several research groups, Arcadis chose the NRC for their impressive responsiveness and superior facilities, especially the Coastal Wave Basin. According to Joe Marrone, Arcadis' Area Leader for Coastal and Urban Resiliency, the proposed breakwater system, designed by SCAPE, had a number of new features that were not well understood. Initial computer-based analysis using numerical modelling to explore waves, currents and sediment transport was conducted by Arcadis, a global consulting firm. Testing innovative breakwater conceptsīefore breakwater construction and operation could begin, designs submitted to HUD by various firms had to be tested. Oyster reefs also help clean the water: a single large oyster can filter up to 50 gallons (190 litres) of water a day, cleaning it of pollutants and undesirable nutrients. As oysters reproduce and repopulate by latching onto discarded shells, the breakwaters will grow larger on their own. The design of these reef-like barriers not only provides protection from waves and flooding, but also creates a welcoming habitat for marine life, particularly oysters for which Raritan Bay was once famous. The target area for a proposed mile-long system of "living" breakwaters was in Raritan Bay, off Staten Island. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched the Rebuild by Design program to shore up protection against future storms. In the wake of the Hurricane Sandy disaster, the U.S. "Our recent testing of new barrier concepts indicates that they are strong contenders for defusing the dangers." "We have to change the way we think about coastal protection and resiliency," he says. As climate change continues, their regularity and rage are expected to increase.Īccording to Andrew Cornett, principal researcher at the National Research Council of Canada's (NRC) Ocean, Coastal, and River Engineering Research Centre, this new environmental reality calls for increasingly creative storm defence systems that serve more than one purpose. And the effect on the environment was immeasurable.įurious superstorms lashing shorelines around the world are 3 times as frequent as they were 100 years ago. More than 200 people died along its path from the Caribbean to the northern states. The cost of damage to the state was $32 billion, with $19 billion of that in NYC alone. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City (NYC) and the barrier islands along the New Jersey shore. Physical model testing of the living breakwaters at the NRC coastal wave basin research facility.įuturistic breakwaters shield shorelines and ecosystems from superstorms.
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