Engineering
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we faced numerous
engineering challenges in rebuilding this playground. We want to minimize the
amount of damage from future storm surges. The challenges we face include
•
Minimizing the effect of beach erosion
from long shore drift and storm surges
•
Protecting boardwalk and playground
structures from future storm damage and flooding
•
Providing a barrier between the
playground and beach while still making the beach accessible
•
Providing foundations for our proposed
sea wall on soil with low bearing capacity
•
Providing structures which exceeds the
recommended two foot freeboard (clearance) above the proposed Advisory Base
Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps for New York along Rockaway Beach
•
Providing engineering solutions to meet
all of the playgrounds’ redesigned aesthetic and functional requirements.
After much thought and research the following
engineering solutions were developed. Consideration was given to the relative
cost, ease of construction, effectiveness, reduced maintenance cost and
environmental impacts. These engineering solutions were developed to adequately
satisfy the above mentioned challenges.
•
The construction of groynes provides
coastal protection and minimizes the effect of beach erosion and long shore
drift on the coastline
•
The construction of a seawall along the
length of Sand Piper playground provides added protection of on-shore
structures and prevents them from being eroded ,flooded or destroyed by the
forces of wave action
•
Cost saving design using concrete and
high density foam as the main components of the seawall
•
Innovative design of the seawalls façade
allows access to the beach, a seating area for views of the sunset, and a
supporting structure for the boardwalk
•
End bearing piles support new structures
on soils of weak bearing capacity
•
Increasing the height of our park to
coincide with the proposed Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) maps for New
York along Rockaway Beach
•
The use of solar powered lighting
fixtures to provide light for safety and for after-hours access to park
facilities
•
The design of ramps to allow for access
and use of our park to the physically challenged and disabled
•
The design of plumbing needs to satisfy
park features and comfort stations
•
The use of innovative wave energy
converters such as the “ANACONDA” for the harnessing of wave energy for power
generation.
SEAWALLS
Seawalls are designed to protect the shore from
being eroded or flooded. It also protects recreational activities like parks
from being destroyed by the force of the waves. Seawalls reflect the energy of
the wave back to the ocean. Three types of seawalls include a curve, mound, and
vertical sea wall. They can be made up of concrete, steel or rubble.
GROYNES
Groynes are used for coastal protection. Also they are structures that absorb energy
from the sea on the shore, which helps reduce the impact of the energy of the
coast. Unlike seawalls, groynes are usually built at right angles to prevent sand
erosion. The types of groynes include concrete, wooden, steel, and rubble
mound.
Plumbing design for water feature:
To satisfy the requirements of sand pipers water
feature potable water from the city’s water supply will be used to ensure
health and safety, system includes:
•
Backflow preventer to prevent reverse
flow to city supply
•
Pumps to maintain required flow pressure
•
Valve box and activators to regulate
flow and sequence of water feature
•
Piping to individual flush mount and
above grade sprays and showers
•
Drains and drain pipes to convey grey
water to sediment traps before being released into city waste water
While designing our project, we elevated our playground
4.5 feet above sea level, and made our comfort stations an additional 4.5 feet
above the playground level. This in turn, will help minimize the damage of
storm surges. We have added two further preventative measures to prevent the
effect of future storm surges from destroying our playground. A concrete and
high density foam seawall will be constructed along the beachfront of the
playground. Groynes will be placed at right angles to the movement of the waves
extending toward the shoreline of Far Rockaway beach. We have also added “anaconda”
wave generators to harvest Eco friendly energy from the waves. The anaconda
wave generator works by having a wave sent through its 200 meter long tubing
along with the kinetic energy that comes along with it. This device will be
floating just under the surface of the sea to get as much energy possible from
each wave. With this technology a single anaconda wave generator can create up
to 1Mega Watt of energy, which would be enough energy to power up to 1000
homes, or in our case our playground.
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