A seawall primarily works by managing the energy of incoming waves to protect the land behind it.
Managing Wave Energy
One of the fundamental ways a seawall functions is by absorbing and reflecting wave energy. As waves generated by wind and storms travel towards the shore, they encounter the seawall structure.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Interaction: The seawall, designed with either a vertical or sloped structure, intercepts the approaching waves.
- Energy Transfer: The impact of the wave against the seawall causes an interaction where the wave's energy is confronted.
- Absorption & Reflection: The seawall's design allows it to absorb some of this energy or reflect the wave back outwards towards the sea.
- Wave Dissipation: This absorption and reflection process causes the waves to either break directly at the wall or dissipate their energy significantly, reducing their destructive power before they reach the shoreline.
By forcing waves to break or lose energy, the seawall prevents them from eroding the land, flooding inland areas, and damaging structures located near the coast. It acts as a rigid barrier standing between the sea and the vulnerable coastal environment.
