Loading of Vertical Walls by Overtopping Bores Using Pressure and Force Sensors - A Large Scale Model Study

Abstract

This study is based on the data obtained from tests carried out in the Large Wave Flume (Grosser Wellenkanal (GWK)) in Hannover in the frame of a joint research project of Ghent University (Belgium) and Forschungszentrum Küste (FZK, Germany). The goal of the research project is to determine the wave induced loads on vertical storm walls located at the end of overtopped dike, which are designed to protect coastal cities from overtopping and floods. The loads resulting from waves overtopping the dike and impacting the vertical wall as a bore are measured by means of both force and pressure sensors. This paper describes the results of pressure and force records at the vertical wall, including a comparative analysis of the overall forces obtained by pressure integration and force sensors for two different wall setups: Fully blocked wall and partially blocked wall.

Overtopping Flow Impact on a Vertical Wall on a Dike Crest

“…Therefore, it is important for designers and owners to recognize the key hazards (e.g., building damage) from the overtopping flow. Chen et al (2012 and Ramachandran et al (2012) reported their laboratory work of overtopping flow loads on vertical structures on a dike crest by physical models at different scales. Common findings of these works suggested that the observed force evolution shape of overtopping flow has a double-peak, which is similar to the "church-roof" time history of wave breaking impact force proposed by Oumeraci et al (1993) for deeper water wave impacts on caissons and composite structures.…”