At WSP, we provide design services combined with environmental analysis and assessment for a variety of port and coastal projects. We are involved with the design and rehabilitation of beaches and coastal structures, such as wharves, jetties, piers, breakwaters, groins, shoreline armoring, and access channels. Our projects are designed to work in harmony with their surroundings and to minimize the potential impact on environmental resources.
Our team has globally recognized expertise in coastal processes and engineering, ranging from the modelling and analysis of coastal processes and the effect of human intervention on these processes, to the detailed design of coastal structures and beach restoration projects. We use state-of- the-art scientific instrumentation to measure bathymetry, currents, waves, water-levels, and sediment transport. These measurements are employed in the validation of specialized software used to numerically model processes such as waves, currents, and sediment transport, as well as the evolution of beach and seabed morphology. Accurate characterization of marine environmental conditions and processes with such tools is key to the successful design of coastal infrastructure.
Using collected and simulated weather, current, and wave information, we carry out assessments of downtime to offshore, coastal, and inshore installations and facilities, including docks and wind turbines, in order to maximize the available working time at a facility, improve productivity and reduce risk.
Breakwaters and Wave Agitation
At WSP, we have the expertise to design sturdy and durable breakwaters and to optimize their configuration to minimize wave agitation in harbours. We use advanced numerical tools to develop applications that help us simulate the particular features of each site and structure. We also study local weather storms in detail in order to design breakwaters and berth areas according to environmental conditions. Our concepts are adapted to include regionally available materials to minimize construction costs. We also have the required expertise for on-site monitoring and the inspection of aging structures.