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History of Coastal Engineering
Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.
Overview
The
history of coastal engineering reaches back over five thousand years to the
ancient world bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian
Gulf. Coastal engineering, as it relates to harbors, started with the
development of maritime traffic, perhaps before 3500 B.C.
Recently, archaeologists, using modern survey techniques, excavations, and old
documents, have revealed some of the sophisticated engineering in these old
harbors. Technically interesting features have shown up and are now reappearing
in modern port designs. Common to most ancient ports was a well-planned and
effectively located seawall or breakwater for protection and a quay or mole for
loading vessels, features frequently included in modern ports.
In
England, coastal engineering works date back to the Romans, who recognized the
danger of floods and sea inundation of low-lying lands.
The
origins of the USACE date to June of 1775, at the beginning of the American War
of Independence, when the Second Continental Congress authorized General
Washington to assign a “chief engineer” for the “grand army”.
This course will review in
detail the ancient and modern day Coastal Engineering developments. The basic
concepts learned thousands of years ago still apply to today’s engineering
principles and practices.
The
student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of twenty (20) questions at the end of this course
to earn PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Attained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and
skills:
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the ancient world
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the Pre-Roman times
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the Roman times
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the Modern Age
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the 20th century United States
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Detailed review of a wood
crib breakwater design from the 1800's
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Review of Coastal
Engineering in the Military
Course
Click on the following PDF attachment and review
Chapter 3 History of Coastal Engineering
of EM 1110-2-1100 prior to taking a quiz for credit. You will be
quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.
History of Coastal Engineering (5.5 MB)
Having Trouble Downloading the PDF File?
Right click on the link. Select "Save Target As..."
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To obtain PDH credits for this course, you will need to take a quiz for
credit. Click on the link below.
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