Detailed distinct element modeling of a Utrecht wharf cellar for the assessment of the load-bearing capacity and failure mechanism

The city of Utrecht is famously known for the system of canals and the wharf cellars integrated to the heart of the city, whose construction dates back to the 1300s. Due to increased traffic volume which caused the increase in dead load and traffic load, it is important to assess the safety and state of maintenance of these historical structures...

Probabilistic Assessment of Overtopping of Sea Dikes with Foreshores including Infragravity Waves and Morphological Changes: Westkapelle Case Study

Shallow foreshores in front of coastal dikes can reduce the probability of dike failure due to wave overtopping. A probabilistic model framework is presented, which is capable of including complex hydrodynamics like infragravity waves, and morphological changes of a sandy foreshore during severe storms in the calculations of the probability of...

Safety Assessment Method of Flood Defences for Flow Sliding

Flow sliding of submerged slopes in front of dikes can affect the reliability of flood defences. The occurrence of flow sliding may result, sometimes with delay, in a failure mode and consequent flooding. The current safety assessment method for flow sliding does not consider the interaction between flow sliding and failure modes which can cause...

Safety Assessment Method of Flood Defences for Flow Sliding

Flow sliding of submerged slopes in front of dikes can affect the reliability of flood defences. The occurrence of flow sliding may result, sometimes with delay, in a failure mode and consequent flooding. The current safety assessment method for flow sliding does not consider the interaction between flow sliding and failure modes which can cause...

Modelling storm impact on complex coastlines: Westkapelle, The Netherlands

Regular dune safety assessments in the Netherlands are presently based on a 1D model approach, which is insufficiently applicable for more complex coastal areas with structures, tidal channels or spatially strong varying bathymetry. These situations require more advanced methods to assess the safety in dune areas. In this study a 2DH XBeach...

Probabilistic Design of Coastal Flood Defences in Vietnam

This study further develops the method of probabilistic design and to address a knowledge gap in its application regarding safety and reliability, risk assessment and risk evaluation to the fields of flood defences. The thesis discusses: - a generic probabilistic design framework for assessing flood defence systems; - statistical techniques in...

Decision-making and maintenance planning system based on risk analysis for sustainable management of port infrastructures

Port infrastructures play a major role in our society and strongly contribute to its sustainable development. Facing multiple stakes, port managers must secure safety, costs and availability. Due to ageing, the maintenance costs get bigger and bigger. This tendency increases with time. It is essential for managers to optimize the budget and the...

A Factor of Safety for Geotechnical Characterization

Risk analysis of coastal flood defences: A Vietnam case

This paper aims at risk analysis and the investigation of safety aspects of coastal flood defences in Vietnam. The sea dike system has been actually designed by a 20 to 25 years return period. From the current situation it seems that the dike system is not sufficient to withstand the actual sea boundary conditions. Accurate safety assessment of...

Safety Analysis of the ComCoast concept, Comcoast WP 3

ComCoast COMbined functions in COASTal defence zones is a European project which develops and presents innovative solutions for flood protection in coastal areas. The ComCoast concept is designed to develop alternative defence systems and new sustainable flood management strategies to cope with increasing hydraulic loads. The objective of this...

Development of Alternative Overtopping-Resistant Sea Defences, Phase 2: Elaboration of Smart Grass Reinforcement Concept

In the present report, a Smart Grass Reinforcement for overtopping resistant sea defences is elaborated on a theoretical basis, within the framework of ComCoast, Work Package 3 (WP3). The smart grass revetment concept aims at strengthening the present grass revetments at the crests and inners slopes of sea embankments. Smart denotes a...