Coastal cities like Miami are urgently looking for solutions to help combat ecological issues like flooding and erosion. One particularly promising answer is the installation of advanced seawalls designed to protect the coast from the impact of waves and tides while still fostering aquatic biodiversity. Such is the solution being explored at Florida International University (FIU), where a team of architects and marine biologists has developed BIOCAP (Biodiversity Improvement by Optimizing Coastal Adaptation and Performance), a 3D printed modular tile system that can minimize wave impact along existing seawalls while promoting the growth of local marine species.
As part of a two-year pilot project, the 3D printed BIOCAP tiles are being installed in Morningside Park, a seafront green space with impressive views of Biscayne Bay. There, the research team will evaluate the performance of the seawall tiles in the hopes that they will improve biodiversity and water quality as well as mitigate wave energy.
The project, funded in part by the National Science Foundation and Environmental Protection Agency, was initiated to improve upon existing seawall infrastructure, which traditionally consists of tall and flat concrete walls installed along shorelines. While the the concrete walls provide a level of coastal protection from waves, they also have downsides, such as inhibiting the growth of marine life and deflecting wave energy back into the sea rather than breaking it up.
“When waves hit a natural shoreline, their energy is gradually absorbed by irregular surfaces, tide pools and vegetation,” the FIU explains. “In contrast, when waves strike vertical concrete seawalls, the energy is reflected back into the water rather than absorbed. This wave reflection—the bouncing back of wave energy—can amplify wave action, increase erosion at the base of the wall and create more hazardous conditions during storms.”
Manufacturing on Demand
By using 3D printing, the FIU team has created more dynamic concrete structures that will more effectively absorb and break down the energy of waves. The swirling design is inspired by natural shoreline structures and works by increasing the surface area of the tiles, which can diffuse wave energy upon impact.
The three-dimensional structures of the BIOCAP tiles, with protected recesses and hidden pockets, also have another important function: providing a dynamic breeding ground for local marine species, like barnacles, oysters and sponges. The researchers say that the design of the tiles can even help to create more stable micro-environments for this wildlife, which can mitigate the effects of increasing water temperatures.
The biodiversity that the FIU team aims to support is important for several reasons. For instance, species like oysters play a critical role in filtering seawater, removing excess nutrients and pollutants that could lead to the growth of harmful algal blooms (HAGs), which reduce the oxygen in aquatic environments to detrimental effect.
Over the next two years, the FIU team will monitor the performance of the 3D printed seawall tiles using underwater cameras. A special prototype tile, embedded with various sensors, will also track water quality through metrics like pH levels, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity, turbidity and temperature. Additionally, the team is installing pressure sensors on the tiles and on flat seawall to measure the difference in wave energy. This data will be vital in understanding the benefits and impact of the 3D printed seawall tiles, which if effective could be rolled out along more of the city’s coastline.
BIOCAP is not the first 3D printed seawall solution we’ve written about. In fact, Miami-based Kind Designs specializes in the production of 3D printed living seawalls. Recently, the company received a $175,000 Phase I grant from NAVSEA to develop and install living seawalls at a Florida-based naval facility. Elsewhere, 3D printed structures are being submerged in aquatic ecosystems to improve the survival rates of coral reefs.
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Author: Tess Boissonneault
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