The Effect of Tsunami Barrier Texture-Pattern on Tsunami Wave Amplitude

Abstract

Recent tsunami-related disasters demonstrate the need for the development and implementation of new, more effective tsunami barrier designs. Rectangular, concrete barriers are often ineffective at stopping tsunami from inundating populated coastal regions; their failure can result in death and destruction. This paper presents the results of laboratory experiments that examined the effect of tsunami wave barrier texture-patterns on tsunami amplitude. Three tsunami barrier texture-patterns (perpendicular, parallel, and diagonal) were tested. Artificial turf strips were used on a rectangular prism-shaped barrier to assess which pattern was most effective in amplitude reduction. The procedure used was to generate a wave, then measure wave amplitude beyond the textured barrier at the end (designated shoreline) of a wave simulation tank. The perpendicular pattern barrier produced the lowest average wave amplitude, whereas the parallel and diagonal pattern barriers produced average amplitudes that were higher th...