Physical Modelling in Development of the Regulatory Framework for Transport Construction

Abstract

Application of the physical modelling method to justify regulatory requirements for design of structures for engineering protection of transport facilities from wave action is considered using the example of three completed research and development works. The described experimental studies of interaction of waves with structures were carried out in wave basins and tanks.The objective of the research is to scientifically substantiate the requirements of regulatory documents for design of shore protection to ensure safe operation of the roadbed of railways and roads, bridge supports, and other transport structures operated under conditions of wave action on the shores of seas and lakes. In this case, the normalised parameters, depending on the hydrological (wind-wave and sea-level regimes of the water area and current), geological-morphological and lithodynamic (coastal zone dynamics) conditions are the types of protective structures used, planned and design solutions for protective hydraulic structures (location, elevations, dimensions), as well as the materials and products used for construction (including quality requirements).The experimental design part of the described studies was carried out by the method of physical (hydraulic) modelling in wave basins and tanks. Physical modelling was carried out in accordance with the theory of similarity. At the same time, a «flat problem» is solved in wave tanks, and a «spatial problem» is solved in wave basins.