Effects of a high rise building on wind flow and beach characteristics at Atlantic City, NJ, USA

This study assesses the effects of a high rise building on the beach and dune at an intensively developed shoreline through field investigation of geomorphological and sedimentological characteristics and wind tunnel investigation of wind speed and direction. Results indicate that wind speed is increased close to the building, where wind is often deflected to a more onshore direction. Obliquely offshore northwesterly winds are the most dramatically altered and cause onshore flows (with pronounced upward flows) in the landward portion of the beach near the building. Onshore deflections in wind direction cause besanding of the boardwalk and create highly localized scour and deposition zones. A dune on the backbeach breaks up zones of sediment transport and scour and diminishes the likelihood that scour areas will cause increased hazard to landward buildings as a result of flooding. Generic large-scale studies are required to develop criteria for communities to use to specify optimum dimensions, locations and shapes of landforms that are modified or created by high rise structures.