Our in-house coastal expertise brings scientific solutions to difficult design challenges, taking metocean conditions into account for each of our projects.
Coastal zone constraints are considered in every step our specialized team takes, from our civil engineers to our oceanographers and numerical modelers. Our regulatory specialists and coastal engineers are well acquainted with wind/wave analysis, shoreline erosion, and coastal revetments. By implementing project-specific methodology—from desktop studies to deploying instruments for measuring wind, waves, tides, currents, and ice dynamics—PND develops project solutions that meet client expectations and budget.
Coastal Engineering Experts
Experience on all five North American coasts and expanding globally
Advanced Modeling Solutions
PND’s collaboration with multiple universities gives us access to physical modeling facilities
Expansive Testing
Direct application experience of 7+ numerical models and coordination of wave and ice tank tests
Services
Table of Contents
Civil Engineering
Flooding and wave forces can contribute to shoreline erosion, and with both residential and natural areas in mind, PND creates project-specific solutions for shoreline protection. PND is adept at designing seawalls, bulkheads, groins, jetties, and breakwaters in the coastal zone to protect and, if needed, manipulate the littoral/sand transport conditions. PND’s experienced engineers have designed conventional rubblemounds, vertical (composite) breakwaters, floating breakwaters, and vertical wave barriers to protect marinas and harbors. By using breakwaters, both developed areas and fragile ecosystems are granted protection through creative civil engineering solutions.
- Breakwaters & Wave Barriers
Metocean Science
- Physical & Numerical Modeling
- Field Measurements & Instrumentation
- Oceanography
- Hydrodynamic Loading
- Wave Transmission
Environmental Consulting
- NEPA Assessments
- Protected Species
- Wetland Assessments
- Land & Water Use Rights
- Climate Change Analyses
- Water Resources & Coastal Design
Decades-Long Client Relationships Start With A Solution
St. George Breakwater | St. George, AK
I have worked with PND on coastal projects in St. George for nearly three decades. They have consistently and successfully provided effective engineering solutions while designing for the unique environmental and economic constraints of St. George Island.
FAQs
To learn more about PND’s coastal engineering work, read answers to our frequently asked questions.
What types of coastal engineering projects does PND handle?
PND specializes in shoreline erosion protection, coastal revetments, breakwaters, and wave barriers. We address the unique challenges of tides, waves, and currents in sensitive marine environments with the help of our in-house oceanographers and metocean scientists.
What coastal regions does PND have experience working in?
PND has extensive experience across all five coasts of North America (Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean, Arctic, and Great Lakes) and has expanded its global experience with projects in Asia, Russia, Central America, and the Middle East.
How does PND ensure compliance with stringent coastal permit requirements?
Our team includes experienced permit specialists who work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure every PND project meets or exceeds permit requirements for seamless project execution.
What coastal engineering technologies does PND use?
PND uses advanced numerical modeling software, including BOUSS-2D, CGWAVE, SWAN, STWAVE, MIKE 21, and SedTrans. Whether it involves developing a wave tank physical model to investigate ship motions and wave overtopping, or creating a state-of-the-art numerical model to quantify currents and waves for breakwater design, PND’s coastal engineers have the tools and knowledge to develop realistic design environmental criteria.
What kind of testing and instruments does PND use for coastal projects?
PND has extensive experience with deploying acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure currents, waves, and ice dynamics. PND also deploys various oceanographic instruments to collect in-situ water properties, such as optical backscatter sensors to measure turbidity and suspended solid concentrations; water level data loggers to measure water level fluctuations; and hydrophones to measure underwater acoustics. Weather stations are installed when additional local meteorology data are needed to determine the design environmental criteria.
What makes PND’s coastal engineering unique?
Our multidisciplinary team is well integrated to create effective solutions. We have expert numerical modelers, oceanographers, civil engineers, environmental scientists, and field measurement specialists. To learn more about our coastal engineering team and roles, check out PND’s job openings and internships.
Contact Us
The tides are turning—it’s time to bring in the coastal engineering experts.