CETN-III-16
Revised
11/83
SIDE-SCAN SONAR
FOR INSPECTING COASTAL STRUCTURES
Side-scan sonar (SSS) is an effective tool for inspecting the under-
PURPOSE:
water portion of coastal structures. This note discusses SSS methods for in-
specting both sloping and vertical-wall structures.
SSS has been
INTRODUCTION:
used to map the sea bottom
and search for submerged
objects since the 1960's
(Fleming, 1976). Recent
experiments by CERC and the
Buffalo District have shown
SSS to be useful for inspect-
ing both sloping coastal
structures (i.e., rubble-mound
jetties and breakwaters) and
vertical-wall structures
(i.e.,
concrete caissons and
timber cribs).
SSS is an adaptation of
high-frequency depth sounders.
It uses sound energy pro-
jected laterally to produce
an acoustic image of the sea
bottom or submerged structure
(Figure 1).
Figure 1. Side-Scan Sonar Technique
(Courtesy of Klein Associates, Inc.)
U. S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Coastal Engineering Research Center
P. 0. Box 631, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180
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