An Experimental and Analytical Study on Wave-Structure Interaction

Coastal regions host significantly higher population densities compared to inland areas, and coastal communities are at risk for damage due to wave forces during hurricane or storm events. To better understand wave-structure interaction for the robust design of coastal structures, a physical model was constructed and tested to measure wave-induced pressures on three vertical walls with varying widths. Forces determined by integrating measured pressures over the face of each wall were compared with existing analytical formulations for determining wave forces on walls. Results indicate that blockage, the term used to account for the ratio of the wall area to the cross-sectional flow area, influences the wave forces experienced by a wall and that this factor is not accounted for in certain contemporary models.