ISEC 08


STRUCTURAL RESPONSE DUE TO WAVE IMPACTS ON A COASTAL PROTECTION

HANS DE BACKER, AMELIE OUTTIER, KEN SCHOTTE


Abstract

Because of a new Master Plan for Coastal Protection, most Belgian coastal cities are planning new protective measures for their beaches and coastal promenades. One of the first locations for these new measures is the coastal town of Wenduine. Three separate new constructions will be designed to protect the town as well as the coastal region for the following 50 years. As opposed to purely vertical or horizontal surface structures, structures consisting of both vertical parapets and horizontal slabs have rarely been considered. The behavior of these structures is more similar to bridge conduct, since the incident loads vary with time and space, than to classic coastal structures. The effect of wave impact on these structures results in local patch loading on a swaying system, introducing local deformations, stresses, and accelerations. This patch loading may cause local deformations, but does not necessarily cause collapse or endanger neither structural equilibrium nor stability. This article studies the structural response of monolithic concrete coastal protection structures. The focus is on the structural response of the structure, comfort conditions for use, and structural safety. This is analyzed by numerical modeling of the structural response based on recently proposed design values for such wave loading. These models include the actual structure as well as the influence of foundations and ground layers.

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