​Swimming Pool Structures:
​Swimming pools have become an essential attachment to most habitable coastal construction such as hotels, condominiums and single-family residences. A large swimming pool type structure may obstruct the free flow of floodwater and increase the turbulence. This in turn may increase the scour potential and the wave/debris action on the building and foundation.

Coastal real estate has unique soil conditions requiring some concrete structures, such as pools, to need pilings to retain the integrity of the structure.
An engineer can determine if a pool needs pilings based on experience in a certain area, drilling or a soil test. Pilings are 10 to 16 inch diameter auger, precast or helical poles that are driven or twisted into the ground at specified locations around a pool. Some pilings will be pushed into the bed rock below the pool and cause more load-bearing capacity. Pilings typically are installed into rock to bear the weight and stabilize the concrete structure.

The main difference between pool types is the method of construction for the ‘basin’.
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Above Ground Pools: These tend to be the cheapest and easiest to construct and are usually assembled from pre-fabricated kits. However, there can be safety concerns, as it can be difficult to see into the pool from the surrounding area.

Gunite Pool: Once a hole has been excavated and the plumbing is in place, a framework grid of rebar is laid. This is sprayed with a heavy coating a gunite, a mixture of cement and sand. This is trowelled smooth and left to cure. The pool may be finished with plaster, concrete paint, tile, exposed aggregate (placing concrete before removing the outer Skin of cement paste to reveal decorative coarse aggregate), or fiberglass.
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Concrete Pools: These are similar to gunite pools, but rather than spraying gunite, concrete is poured into conventional timber formwork. An alternative method is for walls to be constructed using concrete blocks. These have become less common as gunite techniques have developed.