Year

2016

Season

Fall

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Computing, Engineering & Construction

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Engineering

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. School of Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Donald T. Resio

Second Advisor

Dr. William R. Dally

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Third Advisor

Dr. Nicole Dix

Department Chair

Dr. Murat M. Tiryakioglu

College Dean

Dr. Mark A. Tumeo

Abstract

Coastal erosion is caused by a deficit in the sediment balance along coastal shorelines. Within the intertidal waterway of Jacksonville, Florida, the primary processes acting on the shoreline are tidal currents and waves generated by winds and passing vessels. This study focuses on the analysis of vessel-generated waves and their possible effects on different shoreline types. The experiment conducted herein examines variations in turbidity related to passing boats at a specifically selected site location, at which different tidal stages expose three different shoreline types, a non-vegetated scarp, a vegetated scarp and a vegetated area with no scarp in the breaking zone. Statistical analyses were used to quantify relationships between turbidity and wave height within these three different shoreline types. It was determined that both wave heights and the type of shoreline can affect local turbidity levels. Shorelines that contained vegetation experienced significantly less turbidity, than shorelines with no vegetation. Based on the findings here, some preventative measures are suggested to reduce the erosion of intracoastal shorelines into the channel. This would most likely entail boating restrictions or some protective measures to shelter the intracoastal banks.

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