Evaluation of the Volume-Exchange Model using Van der Meer Laboratory Tests Results

Abstract

This study extends the theoretical approach developed by JUMELET [2010] to acquire a physical description of the notional permeability coefficient applied in the VAN DER MEER stability formulae [1988]. Van der Meer introduced this coefficient to ensure that the permeability of the structure is taken into account, however due to the empirical character of Van der Meer equations and because prior to Jumelet's research there was not an available physical description of the notional permeability factor, the determination of this factor was rather vague. Because of the fact that the stability relationship includes the P-coefficient, it has to be estimated somehow and, therefore, the research carried out by JUMELET [2010] is, to some extent, the starting point to achieve the required physical description of the notional permeability coefficient. To obtain this physical description, the volume-exchange model is introduced, in which the external and internal processes that take place within a breakwater are coupled. The external process is described by a wave run-up model while the internal process is described by the Forchheimer? equation for the water flow through a porous medium. According to JUMELET [2010], the notional permeability parameter P is highly related to the run-up reduction coefficient from the volume-exchange model, and thus Jumelet defines an expression for this coefficient by means of coupling the notional permeability factor with the volume-exchange model. Because of the simplicity of the notional permeability coefficient formula developed by JUMELET [2010], further research is required to analyze the actual correlation between the notional permeability factor and the so-called run-up reduction coefficient (obtained from the volume-exchange model). This study focuses on developing a general formula for the notional permeability coefficient based on JUMELET [2010] and analyzing the real influence of the hydraulic parameters and structural properties on the P-factor. As stated by JUMELET [2010], the permeability of the structure depends not only on the structural properties but also on the hydraulic parameters. In this way, a physical description of the notional permeability coefficient is given and can be applied in Van der Meer stability equations to design breakwaters. Moreover, a damage level analysis has been performed to compare the observed damage by VAN DER MEER [1988] with the estimated damage through the combined method of Jumelet's model, the generalized formula for the notional permeability coefficient and Van der Meer stability equations, which leads to introducing the combined method as a tool to determine the maintenance policies in breakwaters by taking into account the damage that waves causes on them.