8 Coastal Engineering Books That Define the Field

Drawing from decades of coastal geography research, Robin Davidson-Arnott and his co-authors present a detailed exploration of how waves, currents, and sea-level changes sculpt shorelines worldwide. You’ll gain a firm grasp of the physical processes behind sandy beaches, rocky coasts, and coral reefs, with quantitative tools that clarify the mechanics at work. The book breaks down key equations and measurement techniques, making it accessible for students and professionals who want to understand coastal dynamics beyond superficial descriptions. This edition’s updates include new models and global case studies, offering insights relevant for environmental planners, engineers, and geoscientists interested in coastal systems.

After extensive research and practical experience, J.S. Mani developed this updated edition to address the pressing challenges faced by coastal environments due to expanding human activities. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of natural forces like wind, waves, and tides, alongside techniques for analyzing wave data and sediment transport that are crucial for designing resilient coastal structures. The inclusion of new chapters on beach profile evolution and breakwater design offers concrete insights into managing shoreline changes and protecting coastal infrastructure. This book suits ocean and marine engineering students as well as practicing engineers focused on sustainable coastal development.

This tailored book explores the essential principles and applied practices of coastal engineering, focusing on your unique background and goals. It reveals the dynamics of waves, sediment transport, shoreline processes, and structural design in a way that matches your interests, making complex concepts accessible and relevant. By concentrating on topics you choose, it offers a personalized pathway through the multifaceted world of coastal engineering, ensuring you grasp both foundational theories and practical applications. The content combines expert knowledge with a customized approach, examining coastal processes, management challenges, and engineering solutions that matter most to you. This personalized guide navigates the intricate interactions shaping coastlines, helping you master the subject with clarity and confidence.

What started as a distinguished academic career at Queen's University became a definitive guide in coastal engineering with this book. J William Kamphuis draws on nearly five decades of experience to unpack complex topics like waves, sediment transport, and coastal structures, alongside emerging challenges such as climate change impacts and infrastructure resilience. You’ll find detailed discussions on both the fundamentals and contemporary design approaches, including practical implications of rising sea levels and environmental considerations. This book suits undergraduate and graduate students as well as practicing engineers seeking grounded, up-to-date insights in coastal engineering and management.

Drawing from decades of research in physical oceanography, Job Dronkers offers a detailed examination of how coastal systems evolve and respond to human activities. You’ll get a grounded understanding of the self-organizing dynamics that govern estuaries, lagoons, beaches, and tidal flats worldwide, supported by clear explanations, formulas, and real-world examples. The book’s chapters balance theory with practical models that don’t demand complex computations, making it accessible if you have a foundation in physics and math. Whether you’re a professional engineer, researcher, or student, you’ll find it useful for grasping the limits and strengths of current coastal dynamics knowledge and applying it to real coastal challenges.

The methods Christopher Koutitas developed while researching computational modelling in coastal and harbor engineering form the backbone of this book. You’ll learn how finite difference methods apply to real-world problems like reservoir management, coastal flows, and pollutant transport, with practical numerical examples and MATLAB code to guide you. The focus here is clearly on applications rather than theory, which means if you’re a civil or environmental engineer, or a hydrologist looking to deepen your simulation skills, this will serve you well. For instance, the chapters on groundwater flow and saltwater intrusion provide detailed frameworks that you can adapt to your projects. This book is best suited for those comfortable with engineering fundamentals who want to master computational techniques rather than novices.

This tailored book explores the dynamic processes shaping shorelines and the engineering methods used to manage coastal systems. It reveals how natural forces like waves, tides, and sediment transport interact with human interventions to influence shoreline behavior. Designed to match your background and specific interests, the book focuses on providing clear explanations of key coastal processes and practical insights into engineering design tailored to your goals. Through this personalized approach, you gain a focused learning experience that synthesizes complex expert knowledge into an accessible, relevant guide. It covers topics from shoreline evolution and sediment dynamics to design considerations for coastal defenses and sustainable system management.

Drawing from his extensive experience at Rijkswaterstaat in Delft, Krystian Pilarczyk offers a detailed examination of how geosynthetics and geosystems function within hydraulic and coastal engineering contexts. You’ll gain a thorough understanding of material specifications, structural components, and design methodologies that underpin these applications. The book doesn’t just revisit common knowledge; it delves into newer, less familiar systems and their practical executions, making it a valuable reference if you’re involved in designing or managing coastal infrastructure. While its depth suits professionals and advanced students, those looking to grasp the technical intricacies of geotechnical solutions in coastal settings will find particular benefit here.

Young C Kim brings a focused lens on the practical side of coastal engineering with this book, moving beyond theory to tackle real-world design and construction challenges of coastal structures and sea defenses. You’ll find detailed discussions on the latest technologies applied in planning and building defenses against waves and storm surges, illustrated by unique projects and engineering lessons learned. For example, the book delves into stabilizing beaches as a protective measure, offering insights valuable to civil, geotechnical, and ocean engineers alike. If your work or interest involves designing resilient coastal protection, this book provides a grounded, technical resource without unnecessary complexity.

Unlike most coastal engineering books that focus broadly on shoreline management, this volume zeroes in on the technical design and placement of groins and nearshore breakwaters. Developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, it digs into how factors like groin height, length, and permeability directly impact beach stabilization. You’ll find detailed chapters examining wave conditions behind breakwaters and their influence on sediment transport, supported by physical and mathematical modeling methods. If your work involves designing shoreline structures or understanding their environmental effects, this book provides targeted insights grounded in engineering principles rather than general coastal theory.