SMALL-SCALE MODEL TESTS ON THE HYDRAULIC STABILITY OF STRUCTURES IN TIDAL WATERWAYS

Abstract

During the last years, an increased amount of damage has been observed on estuarine and riverine waterway structures such as groins or training walls in tidal waterways. The cause of these damages could be attributed to ship-induced long-periodic waves. Because of higher traffic volumes and increased ship dimensions these loads have risen. In contrast to short-periodic secondary waves, the long-periodic wave system is not taken into account in existing design approaches so far. In the framework of the project “Ship-induced long-periodic loads for the design of cover layers on maritime waterway structures” small-scale 2D physical model tests have been performed in order to quantify the specific overflow and overtopping rate taking into account different geometries, surface roughnesses and permeabilities of the structures as well as stationary overflow, short- and long-periodic waves. Furthermore, the stability of the structures under short- and long-periodic wave loads has been observed. These tests provide the basis for the design of cover layers on river structures in maritime waterways.