PREFACE
The U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, (CERC) formerly the Beach Erosion Board, has,
ance 1930, conducted studies on shore processes and methods of shore protection. CERC continues an
extensive research and development program to improve both shore protection and offshore engineering
techniques. The scientific and engineering aspects of Coastal processes and offshore structures are in the
developmental stage and the requirement for improved techniques for use in design and engineering of
Coastal structures is évident. This need was met in 1954, to the extent of available knowledge, by
publication of Technical Report Number 4, “Shore Protection, Planning and Design” (TR 4); revised
éditions thereof appeared in 1957, 1961, and 1966.
Significant advances in knowledge and capability hâve been made since the 1966 révision. This Shore
Protection Manual (SPM) incorporâtes new material with appropriate information extracted from TR 4,
and expands coverage within the shore protection field. This SPM is a replacement volume covering
guidelines and techniques for functional and structural design for shore protection works. Accordingly,
further éditions of TR 4 are not planned.
The Shore Protection Manual is in three volumes. Volume I describes the physical environment in the
Coastal zone starting with an introduction of Coastal engineering, continuing with discussions of mechanics
of wave motion, wave and water level predicitons, and finally littoral processes.
Volume II translates the interaction of the physical environment and Coastal structures into design
parameters for use in the solution of Coastal engineering problems. It discusses planning, analysis, structural
features, and structural design as related to physical factors, and shows an example of a Coastal engineering
problem which utilizes the technical content of material presented in ail three volumes.
Volume III contains four appendixes including a glossary of Coastal engineering terms, a list of symbols,
tables and plates, and a subject index.
R. A Jachowski, Chief, Design Branch, Engineering Development Division, was the project engineer
responsable for préparation and assemblage of the text, under the general supervision of G. M. Watts, Chief,
Engineering Development Division. At the time of approval for publication by tjie Coastal Engineering
Research Board, LTC Don S. McCoy was Commander and Director and Thorndike Saville, Jr. was Technical
Director. Members of the Coastal Engineering Research Board were: MG John W. Morris (President),
MG Daniel A. Raymond, MG Ernest Graves, Jr., BG George B. Fink, Dean Morrough P. O’Brien, Dr. Arthur
T. Ippen, and Prof. Robert G. Dean. The board members were intimately involved in both the planning and
review of this manual.
Préparation of this manual includes the contribution, review and suggestions of numerous engineers,
scientists, technical and support personnel. Présent members of the CERC staff who made significant
technical contributions to this manual are: R. H. Allen, B. R. Bodine, M. T. Czerniak, A. E. DeWall, D. B.
Duane, G J. Galvin, R. J. Hallermeier, D. L. Harris, R. A. Jachowski, W. R. James, O. M. Madsen, P. C.
Pritchett, A. C. Rayner, R. L. Rector, R. P. Savage, T. Saville, Jr., P. N. Stoa, P. G. Teleki, G. M. Watts, J.
R. ^eggel and D. W. Woodard. Technical editor for this manuscript was R. H. Allen. Typing and composing
were done by M. L. Vrooman and C. M. Lowe; and drafting by H. J. Bruder and J. S. Rivas. LCDR K. E.
I usch was responsible for the completion of the final manuscript.
The manual format and binding were selected to optimize its use by scientists and engineers as a leaming
text as well as a field and office engineering reference. Chapters include a bibliography. The binding
facilitâtes text and chart removal for separate use or rcbinding in loose leaf form.
(/omments or suggestions on material in this manual are invited.
This report is published under authority of Public Law 166, 79^ Congress, approved July 31, 1945, as
supplemented by Public Law 172, 88^ Congress, approved November 7, 1963.
The U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, (CERC) formerly the Beach Erosion Board, has,
ance 1930, conducted studies on shore processes and methods of shore protection. CERC continues an
extensive research and development program to improve both shore protection and offshore engineering
techniques. The scientific and engineering aspects of Coastal processes and offshore structures are in the
developmental stage and the requirement for improved techniques for use in design and engineering of
Coastal structures is évident. This need was met in 1954, to the extent of available knowledge, by
publication of Technical Report Number 4, “Shore Protection, Planning and Design” (TR 4); revised
éditions thereof appeared in 1957, 1961, and 1966.
Significant advances in knowledge and capability hâve been made since the 1966 révision. This Shore
Protection Manual (SPM) incorporâtes new material with appropriate information extracted from TR 4,
and expands coverage within the shore protection field. This SPM is a replacement volume covering
guidelines and techniques for functional and structural design for shore protection works. Accordingly,
further éditions of TR 4 are not planned.
The Shore Protection Manual is in three volumes. Volume I describes the physical environment in the
Coastal zone starting with an introduction of Coastal engineering, continuing with discussions of mechanics
of wave motion, wave and water level predicitons, and finally littoral processes.
Volume II translates the interaction of the physical environment and Coastal structures into design
parameters for use in the solution of Coastal engineering problems. It discusses planning, analysis, structural
features, and structural design as related to physical factors, and shows an example of a Coastal engineering
problem which utilizes the technical content of material presented in ail three volumes.
Volume III contains four appendixes including a glossary of Coastal engineering terms, a list of symbols,
tables and plates, and a subject index.
R. A Jachowski, Chief, Design Branch, Engineering Development Division, was the project engineer
responsable for préparation and assemblage of the text, under the general supervision of G. M. Watts, Chief,
Engineering Development Division. At the time of approval for publication by tjie Coastal Engineering
Research Board, LTC Don S. McCoy was Commander and Director and Thorndike Saville, Jr. was Technical
Director. Members of the Coastal Engineering Research Board were: MG John W. Morris (President),
MG Daniel A. Raymond, MG Ernest Graves, Jr., BG George B. Fink, Dean Morrough P. O’Brien, Dr. Arthur
T. Ippen, and Prof. Robert G. Dean. The board members were intimately involved in both the planning and
review of this manual.
Préparation of this manual includes the contribution, review and suggestions of numerous engineers,
scientists, technical and support personnel. Présent members of the CERC staff who made significant
technical contributions to this manual are: R. H. Allen, B. R. Bodine, M. T. Czerniak, A. E. DeWall, D. B.
Duane, G J. Galvin, R. J. Hallermeier, D. L. Harris, R. A. Jachowski, W. R. James, O. M. Madsen, P. C.
Pritchett, A. C. Rayner, R. L. Rector, R. P. Savage, T. Saville, Jr., P. N. Stoa, P. G. Teleki, G. M. Watts, J.
R. ^eggel and D. W. Woodard. Technical editor for this manuscript was R. H. Allen. Typing and composing
were done by M. L. Vrooman and C. M. Lowe; and drafting by H. J. Bruder and J. S. Rivas. LCDR K. E.
I usch was responsible for the completion of the final manuscript.
The manual format and binding were selected to optimize its use by scientists and engineers as a leaming
text as well as a field and office engineering reference. Chapters include a bibliography. The binding
facilitâtes text and chart removal for separate use or rcbinding in loose leaf form.
(/omments or suggestions on material in this manual are invited.
This report is published under authority of Public Law 166, 79^ Congress, approved July 31, 1945, as
supplemented by Public Law 172, 88^ Congress, approved November 7, 1963.