1.2.2: Position of Coastal Dynamics in the DUT curriculum

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Judith Bosboom & Marcel J.F. Stive
Delft University of Technology via TU Delft Open

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Coastal engineering is a very broad profession. As an illustration, the program of the two-yearly International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE) includes disciplines as hydrodynamics, coastal morphology, coastal protection, structures and ports and waterways. At DUT these disciplines are covered in a number of courses within the specialisations Coastal Engineering, Rivers, Ports and Waterways, Environmental Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk.

Coastal Dynamics I and II

For an appropriate choice and design of measures the dynamics of the forcing and response of the coastal system should be taken into account. For that reason the courses Coastal Dynamics I and II focus on the dynamics of the coastal system (waves, currents, sediment transport and morphology). Coastal Dynamics I (CIE4305), which is served by this textbook, treats the most important coastal and estuarine phenomena. Besides, attention is paid to functional design and impacts of engineering works. Coastal Dynamics II (CIE4309) goes into more detail regarding coastal processes and pays special attention to coastal modelling. Coastal Dynamics I is compulsory for Coastal Dynamics II.

In both Coastal Dynamics I and II the focus is on the dynamics of coastal systems built-up by loose and relatively fine material (we consider mainly sand and to a lesser extent mud). This material has been delivered to the coast in the recent geological history, mostly through Holocene marine and fluvial sediment supply (see Ch. 2).

Relevant prior knowledge

Fluid mechanics and wave theories are indispensable topics in coastal dynamics. Coastal Dynamics I builds upon the Bachelor courses treating flow, wave and transport dynamics. Of the MSc courses, preferably Ocean Waves (CIE4325) should be followed prior to Coastal Dynamics I. A summary of the (offshore) aspects of wind waves and tides that are relevant to Coastal Dynamics I are given in Ch. 3 and will be built on in subsequent chapters.

Related topics

The technical design of structures is not treated in Coastal Dynamics I and II. Other courses like Bed, Bank and Shoreline Protection (CIE4310) deal with this.