Ecological preservation based multi-objective optimization of coastal seawall engineering structures

Abstract

Intensive coastal reclamation activities can lead to ecological degeneration in coastal areas. Therefore, the engineering design concept of an ecosystem-based coastal reclamation has aroused great interest. However, the inconsistency of standards and the unclear understanding of ecological processes are the difficulties in this field. In this paper, we selected eco-seawall as object to determine and optimize the 4 engineering parameters (including L1, L2, a, and h1). We set up 20 groups of working conditions under analyzing, and applying a computational framework to optimize eco-seawall designing processes. The computational efficiency would be enhanced by this developed method from the following aspects: (a) establishing surrogate model for eco-seawall to replace the high cost of simulation process; (b) searching engineering control parameters to optimize eco-seawall design; (c) obtaining the Petro curve set of optimal parameters for coastal reclamation management and ecological restoration. The design domain of the related parameters was determined by analyzing simulated and experimental data. As the results, the design domain were obviously reduced through optimization process: L1∈[0.1, 0.3]; L2∈[0.2, 0.8]; a∈(30,60]; h1∈[0.2,0.4]. Additionally, according to pilot-scale experiment, it can be concluded that the overtopping frequency for the low slope angle dam is 66.7%; the overtopping frequency for the high slope angle dam is 44.4%. The optimal design range for the practical engineering design can be provided by the optimal solution set of eco-seawall obtained from the optimization results. The calculation approach used in this research will provide reference for other engineering optimization work.