Introduction
1
Introduction
1. Introduction
Manhar R. Dhanak, Nikolaos I. Xiros
This brief introduction is aimed to make the reader
aware of the many interesting topics involved in
ocean engineering, from basic engineering science to engineering applications, in support of
enabling a host of commercial, naval, and recreational activities in the ocean and in the coastal
zones. It is not possible to cover all the topics in
detail in a single book. Instead, in this Handbook we aim to provide an updated account
of key topics in ocean engineering and ocean
technologies, including a review of important
fundamental and applied subject matter as well
as contemporary developments in leading-edge
ocean technologies.
1.1 Enabling Maritime Design
and Development ...................................
1
1.2 History ...................................................
2
1.3 Basics .....................................................
2
1.4 Applications ...........................................
4
1.4.1 Automated Unmanned
Systems.........................................
4
1.4.2 Coastal Design ...............................
5
1.4.3 Offshore Systems ............................
6
1.4.4 Ocean Energy .................................
6
1.5 Future Trends .........................................
7
References.....................................................
8
Ocean engineering is an engineering discipline that
includes elements of multiple traditional engineering
disciplines and is specialized to provide the engineer
with the required background to effectively undertake engineering projects in the marine environment.
It is a study of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, including ocean sciences, mechanical,
electrical, civil and computer engineering, and naval architecture. Professional ocean engineers are involved
in the design, development, and operation of ocean
systems, technologies, and structures as well as in
enabling a host of endeavors in the marine environment. New demands in commerce, national defence,
climate change, and renewable energy, coupled with
advances in electronics and marine materials drive
innovations.
1.1 Enabling Maritime Design and Development
Covering over 70% of the surface area of the earth, the
oceans are integral to life on the planet, to its atmosphere, weather and climate, and to carbon and other
biogeochemical cycles. Maritime commerce and transportation are vital to the economy and security of many
nations and the coasts support significant professional
and recreational maritime activities while serving as living interfaces between land and the oceans. Further,
the oceans represent rich sources of food, renewable
energy, oil, and minerals. Engineering expertise and
requisite ocean technologies enable responsible maintenance of the health, productivity and resiliency of the
oceans and the coasts, safe navigation and exploration
of the oceans, and environmentally sustainable tapping
of their resources. Smart and innovative solutions are
critical in developing robust and resilient coastal and
offshore structures and platforms, in mitigating the impact of storms and global climate change, in managing
the coasts and beaches, and in meeting commercial, energy, defense, security, and other needs of nations. With
emerging advances in both land and ocean based technologies, and expanding anthropogenic activities in the
oceans and coastal waters, the need to understand the
oceans and to exercise care and wisdom in conducting
these activities has never been greater. A US Commission on Ocean Policy [1.1] suggests that this expansion
of activities coupled with the advances in technologies
is threatening the quality of the oceans and their marine life. At the same time, the Commission regards the
technological advances as also offering hope for us to
1
Introduction
1. Introduction
Manhar R. Dhanak, Nikolaos I. Xiros
This brief introduction is aimed to make the reader
aware of the many interesting topics involved in
ocean engineering, from basic engineering science to engineering applications, in support of
enabling a host of commercial, naval, and recreational activities in the ocean and in the coastal
zones. It is not possible to cover all the topics in
detail in a single book. Instead, in this Handbook we aim to provide an updated account
of key topics in ocean engineering and ocean
technologies, including a review of important
fundamental and applied subject matter as well
as contemporary developments in leading-edge
ocean technologies.
1.1 Enabling Maritime Design
and Development ...................................
1
1.2 History ...................................................
2
1.3 Basics .....................................................
2
1.4 Applications ...........................................
4
1.4.1 Automated Unmanned
Systems.........................................
4
1.4.2 Coastal Design ...............................
5
1.4.3 Offshore Systems ............................
6
1.4.4 Ocean Energy .................................
6
1.5 Future Trends .........................................
7
References.....................................................
8
Ocean engineering is an engineering discipline that
includes elements of multiple traditional engineering
disciplines and is specialized to provide the engineer
with the required background to effectively undertake engineering projects in the marine environment.
It is a study of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics, including ocean sciences, mechanical,
electrical, civil and computer engineering, and naval architecture. Professional ocean engineers are involved
in the design, development, and operation of ocean
systems, technologies, and structures as well as in
enabling a host of endeavors in the marine environment. New demands in commerce, national defence,
climate change, and renewable energy, coupled with
advances in electronics and marine materials drive
innovations.
1.1 Enabling Maritime Design and Development
Covering over 70% of the surface area of the earth, the
oceans are integral to life on the planet, to its atmosphere, weather and climate, and to carbon and other
biogeochemical cycles. Maritime commerce and transportation are vital to the economy and security of many
nations and the coasts support significant professional
and recreational maritime activities while serving as living interfaces between land and the oceans. Further,
the oceans represent rich sources of food, renewable
energy, oil, and minerals. Engineering expertise and
requisite ocean technologies enable responsible maintenance of the health, productivity and resiliency of the
oceans and the coasts, safe navigation and exploration
of the oceans, and environmentally sustainable tapping
of their resources. Smart and innovative solutions are
critical in developing robust and resilient coastal and
offshore structures and platforms, in mitigating the impact of storms and global climate change, in managing
the coasts and beaches, and in meeting commercial, energy, defense, security, and other needs of nations. With
emerging advances in both land and ocean based technologies, and expanding anthropogenic activities in the
oceans and coastal waters, the need to understand the
oceans and to exercise care and wisdom in conducting
these activities has never been greater. A US Commission on Ocean Policy [1.1] suggests that this expansion
of activities coupled with the advances in technologies
is threatening the quality of the oceans and their marine life. At the same time, the Commission regards the
technological advances as also offering hope for us to