Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors Model Facility

The US Army Engineer Research and Development Center constructed a physical model of the Los Angeles-Long Beach (LALB) Harbors complex during the period from July 1972 to July 1973. It is the largest wave action model ever constructed in the United States. The Ports of Los Angeles (POLA) and Long Beach (POLB) have been developing plans for harbor expansion. These plans will be constructed in phases, leading up to a master plan development targeted for the year 2020. The harbors have a history of surge due to long-period waves that create excessive ship motion in certain areas. Consequently, the ports and the Corps plan to ensure optimization of proposed expansions to minimize ship motions in the new basins, as well as preventing adverse effects in existing harbors areas.