Bill Bruin, a 1993 UCSD Warren College graduate, is a registered Professional Engineer in six states and an ACOPNE Diplomate of Port Engineering. With nearly 30 years of experience in risk consulting, marine civil and structural engineering, and project management, his career spans industrial and waterfront projects. He specializes in condition assessments, risk evaluation, hazard mitigation, asset management, and design for both new and existing structures, including on-site supervision and permitting support.
Bill has served on earthquake reconnaissance teams in Haiti (2010) and Japan (2011) and assessed tsunami-impacted marine oil terminals in Chile (2010). He is an active member of the ASCE-COPRI Ports and Harbors Committee, the ASCE 61 Standards Committee, and a contributing author for the ASCE-COPRI Manual of Practice for Waterfront Facility Inspection (MOP 130).
Coastal and waterfront developments situated in harsh marine environments require specialized design strategies to ensure long-term resilience. Key considerations such as material selection, site-specific siting, protective coatings, waterproofing, and accurate load analysis are critical for these complex projects. Waterfront structures face unique environmental loads, including wave action, currents, and tsunamis, alongside operational loads that differ significantly from those encountered in traditional buildings. These include vessel mooring and berthing forces, heavy gravity loads from transfer equipment or stacked containers, and substantial kinematic forces due to seismic activity—all of which demand heightened attention from the engineer of record. With thorough planning, innovative design, and effective coordination, structures such as ferry terminals, pier buildings, and container wharves can achieve enhanced resilience. This presentation will explore some best practices for optimizing the durability and functionality of waterfront structures through thoughtful design.