Showing papers on "Breakwater published in 2020"

The Impact of Submerged Breakwaters on Sediment Distribution along Marsh Boundaries

Abstract: Human encroachment and development on coastlines have led to greater amounts of armoring of shorelines. Breakwaters are a common feature along coastlines, which are used to dampen wave energy and protect shorelines from flash floods or overwash events. Although common, their effects on sediment transport and marsh geomorphology are poorly understood. To address this gap, our study quantifies the effects of breakwaters on sediment transport and marsh evolution under different wave regimes using Delft3D-SWAN, a dynamic geomorphodynamic numerical model. Model configurations used the same numerical domain, but scenarios had different sediments, waves, tides, basin slopes and breakwater distances from the shoreline to explore how waves and tidal currents shape coastal margins. Model results suggested breakwaters were responsible for an average wave damping between 10–50%, proportional to the significant wave height across all modeled scenarios. Shear stress at the beginning of the marsh and the volume of sediment deposited at the end of the simulation (into the marsh behind the breakwater) increased on average between 20–40%, proportional to the slope and distance of the breakwater from the shoreline. Sediment trapping, defined as the ratio between the volume of sediment housed into the salt marsh behind and away from the breakwater, was found to be less than 1 from most model runs. Study results indicated that breakwaters are advantageous for wave breaking to protect shorelines from the wave’s energy, however, they might also be an obstacle for sediment transport, negatively affecting nourishment processes, and, consequently, impeded long-term salt marsh survival. Identifying a balance between waves dampening and shoreline nourishment should be considered in the design and implementation of these structures.

Lagrangian two-phase flow modeling of scour in front of vertical breakwater

Abstract: A Lagrangian particle-based two-phase flow model is developed to simulate the scouring process induced by standing wave in front of the trunk section of a vertical breakwater. Given the two-dimensi...

Numerical simulation of an oscillating water column device installed over a submerged breakwater

Abstract: In this paper, an example of a symbiotic combination of marine structures is studied. The base hydrodynamic performance of a traditional offshore oscillating water column (OWC) device is compared against the case in which it is constructed over a submerged breakwater. Numerical simulations are performed with the open source package OpenFOAM and the toolbox waves2Foam. The classical free surface capturing method volume of fluid (VOF) is employed to model first-order Stokes waves. The effects of the dimensions (height and length) of the submerged breakwater on the hydrodynamic characteristics, such as wave energy conversion efficiency (ξ), reflection coefficient (Cr), transmission coefficient (Ct), and energy dissipation ratio (ED) are explored thoroughly. Moreover, the effect of wave nonlinearity induced by increasing incident wave heights on the OWC device is examined. The results show that a proper configuration of the submerged breakwater is significantly helpful to optimize the energy conversion curve. Varying breakwater length will lead to a periodic variation in energy absorption efficiency. In addition, a higher incident wave height will lead to a lower energy absorption efficiency but a stronger dissipation ratio.

Performance Assessment of a Semi-Circular Breakwater through CFD Modelling

Abstract: Coastal defence works, such as breakwaters, are structures that aim to support the action of waves and dissipate their energy. Therefore, they provide conditions for stabilizing the coast, protecting ports, beaches and other coastal infrastructures and ecosystems. Semicircular breakwaters have been applied in different locations around the world due to their aesthetic advantages and high structural performance. Marine structures are subject to hydrodynamic actions normally estimated through physical models. However, these models are complex to implement, involving high costs and long experimental procedures. Thus, alternative methodologies for studying the hydrodynamic performance of these structures are of great use. This work presents the results of the application of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool to study the stability of a perforated semicircular breakwater, based on a rubble mound foundation. The model was validated against experimental results of the critical weight necessary to resist sliding, taking into account the effects of water depth and different characteristics of the waves. A comparison is made between the perforated and the non-perforated solution in terms of the breakwater’s performance to dissipate wave energy. Dissipation conditions of this energy, in the exposed face, are also evaluated in detail, in order to assess the potential of this structure as a biological refuge for marine species. Both solutions show similar performance in terms of results obtained for the wave reflectivity coefficient. The turbulence dissipation on the exposed face of the perforated breakwater is limited to a region of restricted extension around it, which is advantageous in terms of the passage of species into the breakwater.

Hydrodynamics and morphodynamics performance assessment of three coastal protection structures.

Abstract: Coastal areas accommodate a great part of large metropolises as they support a great amount of economic and leisure activities. The attraction of people to coastal zones is contributing to an intense and continuous urbanization of these areas, while the ecosystems are threatened by the increase of natural extreme weather events (e.g., intensity and duration of storms, floods), which interfere with local wave climate and changes in morphological beach characteristics. Protection of coastal zones predisposed to coastline recession, due to the action of high tides, high sediment transport deficit, and high wave energy, may involve various coastal structures to reduce or at least to mitigate coastal erosion problems. Many of the current coastal protections (notably groins, seawalls, and emerged breakwaters) were built with a single purpose, which was to protect at all costs without environmental or economic concerns, especially maintenance costs, or the negative consequences that such structures could cause up to considerable distances along the coast. The current concept of integrated coastal zone management presupposes studies involving other types of concerns and more actors in the decision-making process for the implementation of coastal works. In this context, multifunctional structures emerge and are increasingly frequent, such as the so-called multifunctional artificial reefs (MFARs), with the aim of improving leisure, fishing, diving, and other sporting activities, in addition to coastal protection. MFARs are in fact one of the latest concepts for coastal protection. Behind the search for more efficient and sustainable strategies to deal with coastal retreat, this study focused on a comparison between the performance of two traditional coastal protection solutions (submerged detached breakwater and emerged detached breakwater) and an MFAR on a particular coastal stretch. In order to analyse the hydro- (wave height and wave energy dissipation) and morphodynamics (sediment accumulation and erosion areas, and bed level) of the structures and beach interactions, two numerical models were used: SWAN (Simulation WAves Nearshore) for hydrodynamics and XBeach for hydrodynamics and morphodynamics. In addition, a comparison between SWAN and XBeach hydrodynamic results was also performed. From the simulations conducted by SWAN and XBeach, it can be concluded that amongst all structures, the emerged detached breakwater was the most efficient in reducing significant wave heights at a larger scale due to the fact that it constituted a higher obstacle to the incoming waves, and that, regarding both submerged structures (detached breakwater and the MFAR), the MFAR presented a more substantial shadow zone. Regarding morphodynamics, the obtained results presented favourable tendencies to sediment accretion near the shoreline, as well as at the inward areas for the three structures, especially for the emerged detached breakwater and for the MFAR in both wave directions. However, for the west wave direction, along the shoreline, substantial erosion was observed for both structures with more noticeable values for the emerged detached breakwater. For all the northwest wave direction scenarios, no noticeable erosion areas were visible along the shoreline. Overall, considering the balance of erosion and accretion rates, it can be concluded that for both wave predominance, the submerged detached breakwater and the MFAR presented better solutions regarding morphodynamics. The MFAR storm wave condition performed in XBeach indicated substantial erosion areas located around the structure, which added substantial changes in the bed level.

Crown Wall Modifications as Response to Wave Overtopping under a Future Sea Level Scenario: An Experimental Parametric Study for an Innovative Composite Seawall

Abstract: The overtopping phenomenon at the rear side of breakwaters has particular importance in harbor protection. Undoubtedly, this topic needs to be taken even more seriously, considering the sea level rise. The present study focuses on the effectiveness in the reduction of the wave overtopping of a triangular parapet placed on the top of an innovative concrete superstructure. The last is part of the OBREC device (Overtopping BReakwater for wave Energy Conversion), an overtopping structure which is integrated into a traditional rubble-mound breakwater, to convert wave energy into electricity. Parametric laboratory tests, including the influence of water depth, have led to the evaluation of the accuracy of the main literature formulations and to the introduction of a new overtopping formula to take into account the influence of the parapet geometry. The results highlight the capability of the parapet in significantly increasing the hydraulic protection compared to a breakwater with a traditional crown wall. The findings from this work are expected to support in promoting and developing adaptive management strategies for existing coastal defenses and smart approaches in the construction and maintenance of new ones, with special reference to future sea-level-rise scenarios.

Mechanisms of settlement of a rubble mound breakwater on a soft soil in tidal flats

Abstract: Because mudflats are compressible, substantial settlement will occur during construction of a rubble mound breakwater at such a tidal flat site. The use of geosynthetics as reinforcement is common ...

Modeling porous coastal structures using a level set method based VRANS-solver on staggered grids

Abstract: Several engineering problems in the field of coastal and offshore engineering involve flow interaction with porous structures such as breakwaters, sediment screens, and scour protection devices. In...

Numerical analysis of vertical breakwater stability under extreme waves

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to perform a numerical simulation of caisson breakwater stability concerning the effect of wave overtopping under extreme waves. A numerical model, which solves two-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations with the k−e turbulence closure and uses the volume of fluid method for surface capturing, is validated with the laboratory observations. The numerical model is shown to accurately predict the measured free-surface profiles and the wave pressures around a caisson breakwater. Considering the dynamic loading on caisson breakwaters during overtopping waves, not only landward force and lift force but also the seaward force are calculated. Model results suggest that the forces induced by the wave overtopping on the back side of vertical breakwater and the phase lag of surface elevations have to be considered for calculating the breakwater stability. The numerical results also show that the failure of sliding is more dangerous than the failure of overturning in the vertical breakwater. Under extreme waves with more than 100 year return period, the caisson breakwater is sliding unstable, whereas it is safe in overturning stability. The influence of wave overtopping on the stability analysis is dominated by the force on the rear side of the caisson and the phase difference on the two ends of caisson. For the case of extreme conditions, if the impulse force happens at the moment of the minimum of load in the rear side, the safety factor might decrease significantly and the failure of sliding might cause breakwater damage. This paper demonstrates the potential stability failure of coastal structures under extreme sea states and provides adapted formulations of safety factors in dynamic form to involve the influence of overtopping waves.

Oblique interaction between water waves and a partially submerged rectangular breakwater

Abstract: A problem of oblique wave scattering by a rectangular breakwater floating in water of uneven depth is solved by applying matched eigenfunction expansion method. Three positions of breakwater are co...

Using Drone and LiDAR to Assess Coastal Erosion and Shoreline Change due to the Construction of Coastal Structures

Abstract: Tak, W.J.; Jun, K.W., Kin, S.D., and Lee, H.J., 2020. Using drone and LiDAR to assess coastal erosion and shoreline change due to the construction of coastal structures. In: Malvarez, G. and Navas, F. (eds.), Global Coastal Issues of 2020. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 95, pp. 674-678. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.Recently, The construction of structures on the coastal zone near estuaries, which are the supply sources of sediments, causes a variation in the waterway; this induces a change in the surrounding coasts, and the resulting coastal erosion can adversely affect the lives of the local residents. In the case of a balanced sediment flow, the quantity of the sediment deposited on the coast is equal to the quantity of the released sediment. However, an increase in either of the quantities causes an imbalance in the sediment transport; consequently, the sand is either deposited or eroded in the coastal or proximate shore regions. In this study, the changes in the shoreline and Wolcheon Beach region located on the east coast of Korea was monitored between 2010 to 2019 investigate the phenomena of coastal erosion and beach deformation. The shorelines, beach width, and beach profile were primarily monitored by employing a drone and a terrestrial LiDAR. The results showed that the sediments were transported northward in summer and southward in winter until 2010 in Wolcheon Beach; however, this seasonal sediment transport was blocked during 2011–2012 by the construction of coastal structures such as breakwaters, leading to partial coastal erosion and sedimentation. Wolcheon Beach originally had the coastal characteristics of the Korean East Coast region (2010), but the sediment transport changed due to the variations in the waterway by the construction of coastal structures, leading to a significant change in the coast (2011). In addition, the northern beach volume increased with respect to estuary, while the southern beach volume decreased. When the offshore breakwater was constructed, the northward sediment occurred dominantly in the shield area. In particular, the planar layout of the harbor facilities concentrated the waves, which increased the quantity of the northward sediment.