Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Hassan Ahmed :: Publications:

This paper presents groins with a clear opening in their cross section as a tool for protecting the shore area. The opening allows water circulation and flushing in the near shore zone while protecting the swimmers from direct exposure to wave attack. The possible impact of the opening size and the internal properties of the groin on the shore line changes and water circulation have been investigated. The dominant wave/current conditions along the North-West coast of Egypt have been considered for various possible configurations of the semi-open groin to identify the appropriate design. Wind and wave data of Al-Da’abaa Metrological Station (DMS) have been adopted for the period 2001-2005. Attention has been given to the Egyptian Environmental Law 4/1994 and bathymetric survey of the bed contours has been prepared for Ras Al-Hekma zone in the North-West coast of Egypt. A numerical model, namely known as Surface water Modeling System (SMS) ver.10, has been adopted in the simulation. The results of the model have been presented in convenient graphical formats and analyzed to select the appropriate configuration of the semi-open groin suitable. The results and analysis provide general guidelines for the use of semi-open groins in coastal resorts that can be applied to wide range of wave climate. It has also been found that semi-open groins can be of good help to provide safe swimming conditions with minimum impact on the shoreline if groins were properly studied. Wide gap spacing generally reduces the shoreline changes.