BIOCEMENTATION-BASED COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR FLOOD PROTECTION AND BEACH ACCESS

Many coastal states are legally required to maintain public beach access while also protecting inland areas from flooding and storm surge. This research investigates bio-cementation — using microbial and enzymatic processes to bind sand particles together — as a nature-based method to stabilize engineered dune slopes that can support vehicle traffic while resisting wave erosion. Laboratory testing will evaluate both erosion resistance and load-bearing capacity of treated versus untreated dune sand under varying wave and traffic conditions, with the goal of offering a sustainable alternative to conventional coastal access and flood protection infrastructure.