Impact of global warming on coastal structures in shallow water

Abstract

This paper describes some rough quantitative estimates of the impact of global warming on coastal external environments and coastal defense structures based on simple formulas and diagrams. Increases in wind speed, wave height and storm surge due to intensification of tropical cyclones are discussed. Wind speed and wave height are proportional to the square root of pressure depression in a tropical cyclone, whereas storm surge increases linearly with pressure depression. Impacts of global warming, especially those of sea level rise, are investigated on wave run-up on coastal structures, wave overtopping and stability of armor blocks and breakwaters. Amplified impacts are found on coastal structures in shallow water. A response strategy is proposed for adaptation of coastal structures to global warming.