Abstract
In order to design reliable coastal structures, for present and future scenarios, universal and precise damage assessment methods are required. This study addresses this need, and presents improved damage characterization methods for coastal structures with rock armored slopes. The data used in this study were obtained from a test campaign carried out at Deltares within the European Union (EU) Hydralab+ framework. During these tests, advanced measuring techniques (digital stereo photography) were used, which are able to survey the full extension of the structure and identify local variations of damage. The damage characterization method proposed here is based on three fundamental aspects: clear damage concepts, precise damage parameters, and high resolution measuring techniques. Regarding damage concepts, first, the importance of the characterization width is studied. For damage parameters obtained from the maximum erosion depth observed in a given width (E3D,m), the measured damage increases continuously with increased characterization width. However, for damage parameters obtained from width-averaged profiles (S and E2D), the measured damage reduces with increased characterization width. Second, a new definition of damage limits (damage initiation, intermediate damage, and failure) is presented and calibrated. Regarding the damage parameters, the parameter E3D,5, which describes the maximum erosion depth within the characterization width, is recommended as a robust damage parameter for conventional and non-conventional configurations based on four main characteristics: its low bias, its low random error, the ability to distinguish damage levels, and its validity and suitability for all types of structures (conventional and non-conventional). In addition, the results from this study show that the damage measured with the damage parameter E3D,5 presents an extreme value distribution.
Highlights
This study addresses the required research on the assessment and characterization of damage to coastal structures with rock armored slopes produced by the impact of environmental loads
According to the results from this study, the measured damage with parameter E3D,5 can be adjusted to an extreme value distribution
In order to define an extreme value distribution for the measured damage with E3D,5, the results shown in Table 4 are considered
Summary
This study addresses the required research on the assessment and characterization of damage to coastal structures with rock armored slopes produced by the impact of environmental loads. The development of consistent and accurate damage characterization methods aims to fully describe the response, as well as the remaining strength of the coastal structures after facing a given loading condition. Climate change should be considered, as this phenomenon increases the environmental loads acting on coastal structures. In such scenarios, the damage characterization methods presented in this paper aim to improve the assessment of conventional and non-conventional structures used as upgrading and adaptation alternatives
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