SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH IN COASTAL ENGINEERING.

This report proposes that the National Science Foundation recognize coastal engineering as a unique phase of professional engineering practice by establishing a separate category in its organization and funding for support of research in this field. The feature which makes coastal engineering unique is the dominant importance of wind-generated ocean surface waves in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of works in the coastal zone. For the purposes of this report, the coastal zone extends from the outer edge of the continental shelf to the limits of tide water. Within this zone, three areas should be differentiated, namely, offshore, outer coast, and inland waters. The nature of coastal engineering is not generally understood and a brief review of it is in order before discussing research needs.