Evaluation of force exerted by tetrapods displaced by tsunami on caisson breakwater return wall

ABSTRACT

Tsunamis can cause large damage to breakwaters and other protection structures placed along the coastline. The strong flows generated by such waves can move the armor units of composite breakwaters, leading to large impact forces on the caissons behind them. In the present work laboratory experiments were carried out in a flume to determine the forces that can result from such impacts. Then, an empirical equation that would allow the estimation of these forces was proposed, with the aim of facilitating the construction of returning walls and parapets situated on top of caissons.

KEYWORDS:

• Tsunami
• tetrapod
• impact forces
• composite breakwater
• return wall

Acknowledgments

The present work was performed as a part of activities of Research Institute of Sustainable Future Society, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University. Penta-Ocean’s financial support for this project is kindly appreciated.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.