SEAHIVE® is a shoreline-protection system based on 12-foot hexagonal concrete tubes. Perforations on the sides of the concrete units allow water to flow within the system, dissipating wave energy while increasing macro-scale structural complexity. The increased structural complexity of the system, combined with sustainable concrete mixtures and non-corrosive reinforcement, enhances its biocompatibility with local ecosystems. The system was developed by the University of Miami and is currently produced with innovative materials and advanced manufacturing methods, including concrete 3D printing by 1Print, LLC.
With rising sea levels threatening over 600 million people in low-elevation coastal communities, the University of Miami's SEAHIVE project has emerged as a beacon of innovation in coastal defence. Embracing the principles of biomimicry, SEAHIVE draws inspiration from the sturdy, hexagonal architecture of beehives to confront the extreme weather events that lead to flooding. SEAHIVE’s modular design serves a dual purpose: it dissipates the power of waves during dangerous weather and allows both mangroves and coral to grow out of its holes. These structures, crafted from biophilic concrete, act as natural protective barriers for coastal defence. While mangroves and coral have long been diminished by pollution along the South Florida shoreline, SEAHIVE hopes to plant new outlets and utilise them as natural defences against the encroaching sea.
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