2009 Press Releases
UCC plays host to European Flood Defences and Coastal Structures Seminar
26.01.2009
The Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork (UCC) and Cork City will host a seminar on Flood Defences and Coastal Structures on Friday, January 30th in UCC.
26.01.2009
The Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork (UCC) and Cork City will host a seminar on Flood Defences and Coastal Structures on Friday, January 30th in UCC.
The seminar will highlight the engineering design and management challenges facing Ireland in the 21st century. Cllr Brian Bermingham, Lord Mayor of Cork will deliver the opening keynote address and it is open to Local Authority /Government Department Engineers, Consulting and Contracting Engineers, Coastal Managers, Environmentalists and Hydrologists. This event is being supported by the EU ENCORA project.
It is without question that recent weather patterns are putting Ireland's flood defence and coastal infrastructure under increasing pressure. Flooding of cities and towns is now a common occurrence and UCC studies have shown that rainfall patterns have changed considerably in recent years. In addition many of Ireland's coastal defences may be found to be under designed given future storm and sea level predictions. The coastline is thus coming under increasing threat as is indicated by the recent breaching of the sand dunes on Rossbeigh Beach, Co. Kerry. There is an urgent need for decision makers to understand the challenges facing the country and how best to meet them proactively and effectively. Answering the need to learn more about designing and managing flood defences and coastal structures this seminar plans to provide delegates with valuable information on how to plan for the future.
Speaking on the importance of hosting this seminar Dr Jimmy Murphy, HMRC Coastal Engineering Manager and Seminar organiser, commented "The design and management methodologies for flood defence systems and coastal structures has developed considerably in recent years. Through monitoring, mapping and modelling there is now a greater understanding of basic system behaviour yet great uncertainty exists as to the nature and magnitudes of environmental loadings. The challenge now is to seek solutions that are both sustainable and cost effective in the long term whilst providing sufficient protection against extreme events, such as we have witnessed over the past week. It is, therefore, opportune that this seminar brings together a number of experts from Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands to discuss these latest developments and possible future trends."
Importantly the seminar will address issues around environmental loadings, catchment/river flooding, extreme events and coastal structures. The speakers will present nine presentations, on the following topics:
The Seminar will run from 9.30am to 4pm in the Cavanagh Pharmacy Building, UCC. To register for this seminar or obtain more information please contact Cora Edwards, Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre, on (021) 4250021 or email hmrc@ucc.ie
About HMRC:
The Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork was established in 1979. It is a centre of excellence within Ireland for Coastal Engineering and Ocean Renewables, providing support to the maritime industry as well as fundamental R&D. The Centre, which is principally a dedicated research facility, also offers a teaching and education function. It houses the only facilities for wave simulation in Ireland with a Wave Flume and an Ocean Wave Basin. For more information visit http://hmrc.ucc.ie/
About ENCORA:
The EU funded ENCORA project has been initiated to improve sharing of knowledge and experience within Europe. It organises a number of services enabling coastal professionals to take better advantage of existing knowledge resources in Europe, for tackling the challenges posed by the future to our coasts. For more information visit http://www.encora.eu/
Picture: Dr Jimmy Murphy, Hydraulics Maritime Research Centre, UCC with Councillor Brian Bermingham, Lord Mayor of Cork.
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It is without question that recent weather patterns are putting Ireland's flood defence and coastal infrastructure under increasing pressure. Flooding of cities and towns is now a common occurrence and UCC studies have shown that rainfall patterns have changed considerably in recent years. In addition many of Ireland's coastal defences may be found to be under designed given future storm and sea level predictions. The coastline is thus coming under increasing threat as is indicated by the recent breaching of the sand dunes on Rossbeigh Beach, Co. Kerry. There is an urgent need for decision makers to understand the challenges facing the country and how best to meet them proactively and effectively. Answering the need to learn more about designing and managing flood defences and coastal structures this seminar plans to provide delegates with valuable information on how to plan for the future.
Speaking on the importance of hosting this seminar Dr Jimmy Murphy, HMRC Coastal Engineering Manager and Seminar organiser, commented "The design and management methodologies for flood defence systems and coastal structures has developed considerably in recent years. Through monitoring, mapping and modelling there is now a greater understanding of basic system behaviour yet great uncertainty exists as to the nature and magnitudes of environmental loadings. The challenge now is to seek solutions that are both sustainable and cost effective in the long term whilst providing sufficient protection against extreme events, such as we have witnessed over the past week. It is, therefore, opportune that this seminar brings together a number of experts from Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands to discuss these latest developments and possible future trends."
Importantly the seminar will address issues around environmental loadings, catchment/river flooding, extreme events and coastal structures. The speakers will present nine presentations, on the following topics:
- Ireland's Changing Rainfall Pattern
- Storm Patterns and Sea Level Trends
- Future Climate Trends and Impacts
- Ireland Flood Defence Strategy
- Design and Implementation of various Flood Defence Schemes
- UK Flood Risk Management Strategy
- Development of Irelands Coastal Protection Strategy
- Design Developments in Coastal Structures
- Climate proofing coastal structures
The Seminar will run from 9.30am to 4pm in the Cavanagh Pharmacy Building, UCC. To register for this seminar or obtain more information please contact Cora Edwards, Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre, on (021) 4250021 or email hmrc@ucc.ie
About HMRC:
The Hydraulics & Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork was established in 1979. It is a centre of excellence within Ireland for Coastal Engineering and Ocean Renewables, providing support to the maritime industry as well as fundamental R&D. The Centre, which is principally a dedicated research facility, also offers a teaching and education function. It houses the only facilities for wave simulation in Ireland with a Wave Flume and an Ocean Wave Basin. For more information visit http://hmrc.ucc.ie/
About ENCORA:
The EU funded ENCORA project has been initiated to improve sharing of knowledge and experience within Europe. It organises a number of services enabling coastal professionals to take better advantage of existing knowledge resources in Europe, for tackling the challenges posed by the future to our coasts. For more information visit http://www.encora.eu/
Picture: Dr Jimmy Murphy, Hydraulics Maritime Research Centre, UCC with Councillor Brian Bermingham, Lord Mayor of Cork.
961MMcS