209 - Using Nature-based Solutions To Reduce Loads On Coastal Structures Due To Wave Attenuation

The continuous search for innovation, improvements, and risk-reduction features in coastal highways to improve their resilience against flooding and erosion is crucial for communities' preparedness to face climate change impacts. The risk-reduction benefits that Nature-based solutions (NBS) would deliver underscore the importance of their implementation and, additionally, would offer habitat, water quality, and recreational benefits.
Implementing NBS in coastal environments reduces flood levels and erosion due to bottom friction and drag provided by vegetation coverage (e.g., marsh and mangroves), reefs, groins, and living shorelines. However, these reduction benefits are not considered in the structural design of bridges and culverts, precisely its benefits for flood reduction and erosion management. Another concern in using NSB is the insufficient design guidance and standards due to the deficient cases of study and experience combining natural and structural features (ASCE, 2019). Therefore, this study describes the effects of using hybrid infrastructure to reduce the loads on coastal bridges and culverts due to wave attenuation.
Numerical modeling tools such as ADCIRC, SAP, and CSIBRIDGE will be used to evaluate the benefits of employing hybrid solutions and quantify the effects of wave attenuation in the loads, size, reinforcement, and other parameters compared to conventional infrastructure solutions.
This research could be expanded to other hybrid solution types, such as seawalls and breakwaters, as well as to riverine environments. Findings from this research could positively impact the design of coastal waterways and, thus, the economic and innovative implementation of hybrid infrastructure.