L.F. Mooyaart
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Optimizing Storm Surge Barrier Performance
Enhancing Closure Reliability to Reduce Coastal Flood Risk
Storm surge barriers are large movable hydraulic structures that close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods in bays and estuaries. These barriers are continuously maintained to rely on their operation when needed. Due to rising sea levels and coastal urbanization, coastal flood risk is increasing. Which barrier improvements are needed to cope with this risk increase, is unknown. This thesis presents a systematic method to find, select and evaluate barrier improvements focusing on lowering the probability of a failure to close a barrier. The method is applied to the Maeslant barrier to demonstrate its applicability.
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Storm surge barriers are large movable hydraulic structures that close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods in bays and estuaries. These barriers are continuously maintained to rely on their operation when needed. Due to rising sea levels and coastal urbanization, coastal flood risk is increasing. Which barrier improvements are needed to cope with this risk increase, is unknown. This thesis presents a systematic method to find, select and evaluate barrier improvements focusing on lowering the probability of a failure to close a barrier. The method is applied to the Maeslant barrier to demonstrate its applicability.
Storm surge barriers are crucial for the flood protection of the Netherlands and other deltas. In the Netherlands, the reliability of flood defenses is typically assessed based on extreme water levels and wave height statistics. Yet, in the case of operated flood defenses, such as storm surge barriers, the temporal clustering of successive events may be just as important. This study investigates the evolution and associated flood risk of clusters of successive storm tide peaks at the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands. Two mechanisms are considered. Multi-peak storm surge events, as a consequence of tidal movement on top of the surge, are studied by means of stochastic storm tide events. Clusters of storm tides resulting from different, but related storms are investigated by means of time series analysis of a long sea-level record. We conclude that the tendency of extreme storm tide peaks to cluster is especially related to the seasonality in storm activity. In the current situation, the occurrence of clusters of storm tide peaks have only a minor influence of the flood risk in the area behind the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier. We envision, however, that this influence is likely to increase with sea-level rise. The numbers are, however, uncertain due to the strong sensitivity to assumptions, model choices and the applied data set. More insight into the statistics of the time evolution of extreme sea water levels is needed to better understand and ultimately to reduce these uncertainties.
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Storm surge barriers are crucial for the flood protection of the Netherlands and other deltas. In the Netherlands, the reliability of flood defenses is typically assessed based on extreme water levels and wave height statistics. Yet, in the case of operated flood defenses, such as storm surge barriers, the temporal clustering of successive events may be just as important. This study investigates the evolution and associated flood risk of clusters of successive storm tide peaks at the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands. Two mechanisms are considered. Multi-peak storm surge events, as a consequence of tidal movement on top of the surge, are studied by means of stochastic storm tide events. Clusters of storm tides resulting from different, but related storms are investigated by means of time series analysis of a long sea-level record. We conclude that the tendency of extreme storm tide peaks to cluster is especially related to the seasonality in storm activity. In the current situation, the occurrence of clusters of storm tide peaks have only a minor influence of the flood risk in the area behind the Maeslant Storm Surge Barrier. We envision, however, that this influence is likely to increase with sea-level rise. The numbers are, however, uncertain due to the strong sensitivity to assumptions, model choices and the applied data set. More insight into the statistics of the time evolution of extreme sea water levels is needed to better understand and ultimately to reduce these uncertainties.
Storm surge barrier performance
The effect of barrier failures on extreme water level frequencies
Journal article
(2024)
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L. F. Mooyaart, A. M.R. Bakker, J. A. van den Bogaard, R. E. Jorissen, T. Rijcken, S. N. Jonkman
Sea level rise necessitates the upgrade of coastal flood protection including storm surge barriers. These large movable hydraulic structures are open in normal conditions, but close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods in bays and estuaries. Barrier improvements lower their susceptibility to operational, structural, or height-related failures. However, there is no method to determine the relative importance of these three barrier failure types. Here, we present a probabilistic method to systematically organize barrier failures and storm conditions to establish exceedance frequencies of extreme water levels behind the barrier. The method is illustrated by an assessment of extreme water level frequencies at Rotterdam (The Netherlands), which is protected by the Maeslant barrier. Four combinations of barrier states and storm conditions were analyzed and prioritized in the following order: (1) an operational failure with 1/100 year storm conditions, (2) a successful closure with an extreme (~1/1000 year) river discharge accumulating behind the barrier, (3) structural failure, and (4) insufficient height both with extreme storm conditions (10–6 year). The case study confirmed the method's ability to systematically explore promising barrier improvements to adapt to sea level rise, in this case, lowering the susceptibility toward operational failures.
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Sea level rise necessitates the upgrade of coastal flood protection including storm surge barriers. These large movable hydraulic structures are open in normal conditions, but close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods in bays and estuaries. Barrier improvements lower their susceptibility to operational, structural, or height-related failures. However, there is no method to determine the relative importance of these three barrier failure types. Here, we present a probabilistic method to systematically organize barrier failures and storm conditions to establish exceedance frequencies of extreme water levels behind the barrier. The method is illustrated by an assessment of extreme water level frequencies at Rotterdam (The Netherlands), which is protected by the Maeslant barrier. Four combinations of barrier states and storm conditions were analyzed and prioritized in the following order: (1) an operational failure with 1/100 year storm conditions, (2) a successful closure with an extreme (~1/1000 year) river discharge accumulating behind the barrier, (3) structural failure, and (4) insufficient height both with extreme storm conditions (10–6 year). The case study confirmed the method's ability to systematically explore promising barrier improvements to adapt to sea level rise, in this case, lowering the susceptibility toward operational failures.
The efficacy of risk models and risk analyses critically hinges on sufficient model evaluation. Nevertheless, the usefulness for the intended purpose is rarely systematically assessed. Poor or even lacking model evaluation of the applied risk models and analyses also troubles the asset management of storm surge barriers in the Netherlands. In practice, obvious flaws, missing failure modes and use that deviates from the original purpose regularly lead to unpleasant surprises, unnecessary costs and avoidable risks.
Here, we introduce new guidelines for the quality control during the development, testing, maintenance and usage of risk analyses of critical hydraulic structures.
First responses among stakeholders are rather positive since the guidelines help modelers and analysts to better understand critics and independent reviewers to structure their comments. However, the efficacy of the guidelines itself also need rigorous evaluation in the coming years. This may prove challenging as the application of the guidelines may also reveal that the organizations that operation the storm surge barriers are currently insufficiently equipped for the rigorous quality control of risk models and risk analyses. ...
Here, we introduce new guidelines for the quality control during the development, testing, maintenance and usage of risk analyses of critical hydraulic structures.
First responses among stakeholders are rather positive since the guidelines help modelers and analysts to better understand critics and independent reviewers to structure their comments. However, the efficacy of the guidelines itself also need rigorous evaluation in the coming years. This may prove challenging as the application of the guidelines may also reveal that the organizations that operation the storm surge barriers are currently insufficiently equipped for the rigorous quality control of risk models and risk analyses. ...
The efficacy of risk models and risk analyses critically hinges on sufficient model evaluation. Nevertheless, the usefulness for the intended purpose is rarely systematically assessed. Poor or even lacking model evaluation of the applied risk models and analyses also troubles the asset management of storm surge barriers in the Netherlands. In practice, obvious flaws, missing failure modes and use that deviates from the original purpose regularly lead to unpleasant surprises, unnecessary costs and avoidable risks.
Here, we introduce new guidelines for the quality control during the development, testing, maintenance and usage of risk analyses of critical hydraulic structures.
First responses among stakeholders are rather positive since the guidelines help modelers and analysts to better understand critics and independent reviewers to structure their comments. However, the efficacy of the guidelines itself also need rigorous evaluation in the coming years. This may prove challenging as the application of the guidelines may also reveal that the organizations that operation the storm surge barriers are currently insufficiently equipped for the rigorous quality control of risk models and risk analyses.
Here, we introduce new guidelines for the quality control during the development, testing, maintenance and usage of risk analyses of critical hydraulic structures.
First responses among stakeholders are rather positive since the guidelines help modelers and analysts to better understand critics and independent reviewers to structure their comments. However, the efficacy of the guidelines itself also need rigorous evaluation in the coming years. This may prove challenging as the application of the guidelines may also reveal that the organizations that operation the storm surge barriers are currently insufficiently equipped for the rigorous quality control of risk models and risk analyses.
Coastal defenses must be upgraded to combat increasing flood risk due to climate change and other factors. Storm surge barriers, large movable hydraulic structures that close temporarily during storm surges to prevent coastal floods, play a vital role in protecting estuaries. Due to the complexity of their risk analyses, important improvements are sometimes overseen. Our objective is to develop a systematic approach which is more likely to find these important improvements. We tested the method to three historic cases where important improvements were initially overlooked. We anticipate that our method can be applied to other safety systems with a large number of failure modes as well.
...
Coastal defenses must be upgraded to combat increasing flood risk due to climate change and other factors. Storm surge barriers, large movable hydraulic structures that close temporarily during storm surges to prevent coastal floods, play a vital role in protecting estuaries. Due to the complexity of their risk analyses, important improvements are sometimes overseen. Our objective is to develop a systematic approach which is more likely to find these important improvements. We tested the method to three historic cases where important improvements were initially overlooked. We anticipate that our method can be applied to other safety systems with a large number of failure modes as well.
Journal article
(2023)
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Leslie F. Mooyaart, Alexander M.R. Bakker, Johan A. van den Bogaard, Ties Rijcken, Bas Jonkman
Storm surge barriers are large movable hydraulic structures which close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods. In the regions they protect, a failure to close the barrier is often the most likely cause for a catastrophic flood. Nevertheless, flood risk assessments usually only focus on raising flood defences behind the barrier. Despite its importance, there is no general method to assess the costs and benefits of improving the closure reliability. This paper presents a model that optimises investments considering both closure reliability improvements and raising flood defences behind the barrier, using the region protected by the Maeslant barrier as a case. We substantiate that constructing the Maeslant barrier was an optimal economic decision. Moreover, we demonstrate large investments such as a redundant barrier already being economically sound with a few decimetres of sea level rise. Based on our experience with this case study, we expect the model is useful in finding strategies to adapt to rising sea levels and other developments that cause coastal flood risk to rise worldwide.
...
Storm surge barriers are large movable hydraulic structures which close during a storm surge to prevent coastal floods. In the regions they protect, a failure to close the barrier is often the most likely cause for a catastrophic flood. Nevertheless, flood risk assessments usually only focus on raising flood defences behind the barrier. Despite its importance, there is no general method to assess the costs and benefits of improving the closure reliability. This paper presents a model that optimises investments considering both closure reliability improvements and raising flood defences behind the barrier, using the region protected by the Maeslant barrier as a case. We substantiate that constructing the Maeslant barrier was an optimal economic decision. Moreover, we demonstrate large investments such as a redundant barrier already being economically sound with a few decimetres of sea level rise. Based on our experience with this case study, we expect the model is useful in finding strategies to adapt to rising sea levels and other developments that cause coastal flood risk to rise worldwide.
The risk of flooding in coastal zones is expected to increase due to sea level rise and economic development. In larger bays, estuaries, and coastal waterways, storm surge barriers can be constructed to temporarily close off these systems during storm surges to provide coastal flood protection. Worldwide, 18 storm surge barriers have been constructed thus far, but they are increasingly being considered as a future solution for other coastal locations. This study provides a systematic overview of existing storm surge barriers. It analyzes information
about the main functions of each barrier, the type of gates used, and the associated costs. It also shows that functional requirements determine the design and layout of the barrier. The main design challenges are discussed. The study results may be of use in future planning and preliminary storm surge barrier design ...
about the main functions of each barrier, the type of gates used, and the associated costs. It also shows that functional requirements determine the design and layout of the barrier. The main design challenges are discussed. The study results may be of use in future planning and preliminary storm surge barrier design ...
The risk of flooding in coastal zones is expected to increase due to sea level rise and economic development. In larger bays, estuaries, and coastal waterways, storm surge barriers can be constructed to temporarily close off these systems during storm surges to provide coastal flood protection. Worldwide, 18 storm surge barriers have been constructed thus far, but they are increasingly being considered as a future solution for other coastal locations. This study provides a systematic overview of existing storm surge barriers. It analyzes information
about the main functions of each barrier, the type of gates used, and the associated costs. It also shows that functional requirements determine the design and layout of the barrier. The main design challenges are discussed. The study results may be of use in future planning and preliminary storm surge barrier design
about the main functions of each barrier, the type of gates used, and the associated costs. It also shows that functional requirements determine the design and layout of the barrier. The main design challenges are discussed. The study results may be of use in future planning and preliminary storm surge barrier design