Hydraulic Experiments on Sinkable Floating Storm Surge Barrier under Various Wave Actions

Abstract

A sinkable floating storm surge barrier is a new type of structure designed to reduce coastal disasters from storm surges. This barrier usually lies on the seabed, but its buoyancy allows it to rise up as a seawall when a storm surge occurs. A sinkable floating-type storm surge barrier consists of a buoyant main body connected to a foundation structure on the seabed by a hinge. In this study, the wave forces acting on the barrier were experimentally investigated. To evaluate the wave reflection and transmission from this buoyant floating-type storm surge barrier, hydraulic experiments were performed under regular and irregular wave conditions. The wave blocking capabilities of the sinkable floating barrier against surges were confirmed, and the characteristics of the barrier motion and wave pressure were clarified by changing the wave condition. Based on the hydraulic experiments, it was found that this type of barrier was effective at wave transmission, as well as reflection. It was shown that a sinkable floating barrier placed at the mouth of a bay as a storm surge barrier can be expected in the future. However, further detailed hydraulic and numerical experiments are also needed to accurately predict the barrier motion under combined wave current conditions.