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UNF Students develop structures to ease beach erosion

Four civil engineering seniors from the University of North Florida are looking to combat a real-life problem with a student project, beach erosion.

Four civil engineering seniors from the University of North Florida are looking to combat a real-life problem with a student project: beach erosion. Their solution is called breakwater structure units, which are 10 feet tall barriers that are ultimately designed to prevent the ocean from depleting the sand.

Beach erosion is a recurring problem not only for avid beach goers but for taxpayers, according coastal engineer experts.

After being hit by two hurricanes, the state has shelled out millions to restore beaches along the east coast.

"This is the fourth time that they have renourished the beach," Senior Alessandro Soares said. "And just this cycle around they've spent $14 million."

One area, in particular, is along Crescent beach in St. Johns County that has been identified to erode at a higher rate than its surroundings, according to Coastal Engineering Professor, Dr. William Dally.

"The ultimate consequence is they'll have to keep placing sand every few years, the sand is gone in a year, usually lasts six or seven years that's what defines an erosion hot spot," Dally said.

The 10 feet-tall units work by reflecting the wave's energy away from the shore, and are strong enough to withstand hurricane-force winds. The structures were also designed to provide a big benefit for beachgoers, including fishermen, surfers, and divers.

"They will bring in deep sea fish so the fisherman will be happy, the beachgoers will be happy because they are going to have more sand, and the surfers are obviously going to be ecstatic because we are creating on a regular two foot swell we're 4 feet waves, 3 foot swells and 6 feet waves," Soares said.

To test the effectiveness of the breakwater structure, the students have developed their very own wave tank.

Their tank is run by a generator that produces hurricane force waves and is also built to scale to replicate the area at Pope Road.

"That way we have enough data once we place the structure there we should be able to have enough sediment in position meaning we are going to get more sand stopping there instead of going there once the structure is placed on site," Soares said.

The students are in the process of filing a patent for their design are hoping to gain the attention of the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers.

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