Abstract
This study investigates the variation of wave impact loads with the geometrical configurations of recurve retrofits mounted on the crest of a vertical seawall. Physical model tests were undertaken in a wave flume at the University of Warwick to investigate the effects of the geometrical properties of recurve on the pressure distribution, overall force, and overturning moment at the seawall, subject to both impulsive and non-impulsive waves. Additionally, the wave impact and quasi-static loads on the recurve portion of the retrofitted seawalls are investigated to understand the role of retrofitting on the structural integrity of the vertical seawall. Detailed analysis of laboratory measurements is conducted to understand the effects of overhang length and height of the recurve wall on the wave loading. It is found that the increase in both recurve height and overhang length lead to the increase of horizontal impact force at an average ratio of 1.15 and 1.1 times larger the reference case of a plain vertical wall for the tested configurations. The results also show that the geometrical shape changes in recurve retrofits, increasing the overturning moment enacted by the wave impact force. A relatively significant increase in wave loading (both impact and quasi-static loads) are observed for the higher recurve retrofits, while changes in the overturning moment are limited for the retrofits with longer overhang length. The data generated from the physical modelling measurements presented in this study will be particularly helpful for a range of relevant stakeholders, including coastal engineers, infrastructure designers, and the local authorities in coastal regions. The results of this study can also enable scientists to design and develop robust decision support tools to evaluate the performance of vertical seawalls with recurve retrofitting.
Highlights
The combined effects of sea-level rise and intensified extreme storm surges due to climate change will result in the reduction of crest freeboard levels of existing coastal defence infrastructures in the coming decades and increase the vulnerability of coastal defences to erosion and flooding [1,2,3]
A comprehensive suite of physical modelling tests was undertaken to evaluate the increase in the wave impact loads generated on the seawalls due to the addition of recurve retrofitting on the crest of the seawall
Detailed measurement and analysis were carried out to determine the distribution of wave impact pressure, the horizontal impact force and the overturning moment generated from the wave impact force
Summary
The combined effects of sea-level rise and intensified extreme storm surges due to climate change will result in the reduction of crest freeboard levels of existing coastal defence infrastructures in the coming decades and increase the vulnerability of coastal defences to erosion and flooding [1,2,3]. While the retrofitted sea defences may be efficient in mitigating wave overtopping characteristics [10,11], they can be subjected to violent wave impact loads that may cause structural damage, including reduction of structural stability of retrofitted infrastructures [12,13]. The addition of a recurve wall changes the geometrical shape of the seawall structure; it is essential to fully understand the characteristics of wave impact loads applied on the structure due to the addition of recurve retrofitting, in order to make informed decisions regarding the suitability of the retrofitting design and the stability of the defence structure. Previous research showed that the addition of a recurve wall on the seawall crest increases the wave impact loads at the structure [18,20,21]
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