CASE HISTORIES OF CORPS BREAKWATER AND JETTY STRUCTURES
NORTH PACIFIC DIVISION
PART I:
INTRODUCTION
Background
The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is responsible for a wide
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variety of coastal structures located on the Atlantic, Pacific, and gulf
coasts, the Great Lakes, Hawaiian Islands, other islands, and inland water-
ways. Coastal improvements such as jetties or breakwaters are frequently
required to provide a safe harbor or navigation. These structures are con-
tinuously subjected to wave and current forces and are usually constructed on
top of movable-bed materials. Under these conditions, structural deteriora-
tion may occur to the point where maintenance, repair, or rehabilitation is
required for the structure to continue to meet the needs of the project. Some
of the projects have been maintained for over 150 years. Methods of repair
and construction have varied significantly during this time, due principally
to a better understanding of coastal processes, availability of construction
materials, regional construction practices, and economic considerations.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to lend insight into the scope,
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magnitude, and history of coastal breakwaters and jetties under Corps juris-
diction; determine their maintenance and repair history; determine their
methods of construction; and make this information available to Corps per-
sonnel. To accomplish these objectives, case histories of Corps breakwater
and jetty structures have been developed to quantify past and present problem
areas, to take steps to rectify these problems, and to subsequently evaluate
remedial measures. General design guidance can be obtained from those
solutions that have been most successful. Information in this report should
be of particular value to Corps personnel in the US Army Engineer Division,
North Pacific (NPD), and its coastal districts and possibly to non-Corps
personnel.
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