An integrated model for pore pressure accumulations in marine sediment under combined wave and current loading

Abstract

In this paper, an integrated model for the wave (current)-induced seabed response is presented. The present model consists of two parts: hydrodynamic model for wave-current interactions and poro-elastic seabed model for pore accumulations. In the wave-current model, based on the fifth-order wave theory, ocean waves were generated by adding a source function into the mass conservation equation. Then, currents were simulated through imposing a steady inlet velocity on one domain and pressure outlet on the other side. In addition, both of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokers (RANS) Equations and <TEX>$k-{\varepsilon}$</TEX> turbulence model would be applied in the fluid field. Once the wave pressures on the seabed calculated through the wave-current interaction model, it would be applied to be boundary conditions on the seabed model. In the seabed model, the poro-elastic theory would be imposed to simulate the seabed soil response. After comparing with the experimental data, the effect of currents on the seabed response would be examined by emphasize on the residual mechanisms of the pore pressure inside the soil. The build-up of the pore water pressure and the resulted liquefaction phenomenon will be fully investigated. A parametric study will also be conducted to examine the effects of waves and currents as well as soil properties on the pore pressure accumulation.