Author(s): Pablo Higuera; Javier L. Lara; Inigo J. Losada
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Numerical modelling; Oblique waves; Rubble mound breakwater; Crown wall loads; IHFOAM
Abstract: Numerical modelling plays an increasingly important role in the design of coastal protection structures. This tool can provide a detailed characterization of the hydrodynamics around any structure, avoiding scale effects and, therefore, reducing the uncertainty and high cost associated to this kind of calculations, which have traditionally been addressed by physical modelling. In this paper the IHFOAM numerical model is applied to simulate the interaction of a sea state with a real structure, the Port of Laredo (Spain) rubble mound breakwater, in three-dimensions and at prototype scale. The exterior breakwater of this port is curved and includes three different crown wall sections, thus enabling the analysis of multiple wave incidence angles all at once. The analysis of the numerical data yields the stability regime of the real structure, without scale effects. The results indicate that the breakwater presents an adequate design, as the safety coefficients against sliding and overturning are above the minimum required. Moreover, no overtopping is detected because the recurved wall deflects the splashes in the seaward direction.
Year: 2015