Comment: 17:12 - 18:16 (01:04)
Source: Annenberg/CPB Resources - Earth Revealed 24, Waves, Beaches and Coasts
Keywords: "Scott Jenkins", "wave tank", modeling, breakwater, "wave height", energy, data, "sea cliff", "coral reef", erosion, beach, "Scripps Institution of Oceanography", "Scripps Center for Coastal Studies"
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Our transcription: Jenkins and his colleagues use a wave tank and scale models to test their designs, in this case a breakwater.
Sensors placed around the tank measure the heights of the waves both inside and outside the breakwater giving Jenkins an indication of its effectiveness at reducing wave energy.
Data from the experiment is fed into a computer allowing the scientists to refine and retest the design before an actual prototype is built.
When designing the seawall, Jenkins and his colleagues turn to nature for inspiration.
The irregularly shaped surfaces of sea cliffs and coral reefs reflect a minimal amount of wave energy.
So the Scripps scientists decided to incorporate nature's energy absorbing design into their seawall.
So far this wall has been a success.
The property's been protected from further erosion without destroying the beach at the base of the wall.
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Geology School Keywords
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