OpenFOAM design sensitivity analysis on a homogeneous low-crested structure with concrete elements seaward of a vertical seawall to reduce overtopping

This study treats a detached homogenous low-crested structure (HLCS) made of Cubipod concrete elements placed seaward of a vertical wall (forming a basin in between) to reduce overtopping. Assessing the complex hydrodynamics and effects of changing the geometry of such a system in relation to overtopping reduction is challenging. The...

Numerical modelling of flow depths and velocities at the crest of a rubble mound breakwater using OpenFOAM®

Breakwaters are built in coastal zones to alter sediment transport, or protect threatened habitats and port facilities. The rising sea level is causing more water to overtop these structures. Increasing amounts of overtopping discharge can compromise the security of people, or equipment standing on the crest of breakwaters. The overtopping flow...

Investigating the dependencies of individual overtopping volumes on vertical wall breakwaters under non-breaking waves

Wave overtopping of coastal structures is generally expressed in terms of average discharge and maximum overtopping volume. While substantial research can be found on the relationship of such variables with incident spectral characteristics and other geometrical dimensions, limited research has been done to identify the conditions for which...

Numerical modelling of wave overtopping discharges at rubble mound breakwaters using OpenFOAM®

Numerical modelling of wave interaction with rock-armoured rubble mound breakwaters has been performed to study wave overtopping. The influences of the slope angle, a berm in the seaward slope, a protruding crest wall, a recurved parapet, and the wave steepness have been studied using a validated CFD model (OpenFOAM). The numerical modelling...

Climate Adaptation of Rubble Mound Breakwaters: A study to the accuracy of overtopping formulas for combination of solutions

Rubble mound structures are often constructed to prevent severe wave damage to ships. By constructing the crest at a certain level, the waves are reduced such that safety is ensured. However, a large increase in sea level rise is expected in the next century due to climate change. Because of this, multiple adaptations might be necessary to meet...

Homogeneous detached composite breakwater: CFD study of the design sensitivities in the 2D geometrical layout using a detached homogeneous low-crested structure to reduce sea wall overtopping

In this research OpenFOAM is used to model and determine the complex hydrodynamic behaviour of a Homogeneous low-crested structure (HLCS) consisting of cubipod artificial concrete elements. The validated model is used to gain insight in the design sensitivities of a two dimensional cross sectional layout to reduce sea wall overtopping. HLCS and...

An efficient numerical approach to model wave overtopping of rubble mound breakwaters

Worldwide, rubble mound breakwaters are designed and built to shelter and protect coastal areas from overtopping and flooding, especially harbours and shorelines. Rubble mound breakwaters are essential to preserve desired hydraulic conditions within the hinterland, avoiding damage to inhabited or industrial areas. This research focuses on the...

Tolerable wave overtopping during construction of a breakwater

Wave overtopping is an important aspect for the design of rubble mound breakwaters. Acceptable overtopping limits are usually based on the mean overtopping discharge or the maximum overtopping volume (EurOtop, 2018). For temporary situations, such as breakwaters under construction, overtopping limits are not clearly defined. This complicates the...

Numerical investigation of nearshore wave transformation and surf zone hydrodynamics

Rapid climate change and the corresponding estimated sea level rise can affect the performance of the coastal defense structures such as breakwaters, seawalls, and dikes. In order to improve these coastal defenses, a detailed understanding of the processes which contribute to wave run-up and overtopping over the coastal defenses needs to be...

The relation between cobble revetments, sand and overtopping: A numerical approach with OpenFOAM®

OpenFOAM allowed the author to simulate a large number of scenarios in which the influences of cross-shore profile shape, cobble porosity, cobble diameter and layer thickness on wave overtopping were examined. Four validation runs and six simulations to map the sensitivity are compared with data from two physical experiments conducted in the...

Numerical investigation of the effect of nappe non-aeration on caisson sliding force during Tsunami breakwater over-topping using OpenFOAM

During the 2011 Great East Japan Tsunami, the world’s deepest breakwaters in Kamaishi and Ofunato, which had been designed to reduce tsunami damage, partially failed after over-topping. The failure was due to a combination of sliding, over-topping induced foundation scour and foundation bearing capacity failure. Hindcasting this failure required...