Performance Evaluation of Open-Cell Caisson Breakwater System using Finite Element Method

Abstract

Recently, coastal city and facilities had many damages by abnormally high waves with climate change. Especially, breakwater systems based on a caisson-type harm damages in Korea because they are located in the outside port. In order to reduce theses damages, new type breakwater systems using interlocking caisson are researched. Generally, caissons of breakwater system were constructed on crushed rock mound. They had a little space of 10-20 cm between each caisson. In this reason, they resist separately under external environmental ocean condition. A resistance mechanism of this method is friction force between caisson and crushed rock. Majority of failure is sliding failure, when it is exposed to more than design load. On the contrary, new type breakwater system as interlocking caissons resists effectively against abnormal wave because they are connected by specific joint method between each caisson. In this study, based on an open-cell caisson which is one of the interlocking concepts, we evaluated the performance of dynamic behavior for breakwater system using finite element analysis such as distribution subgrade reaction force, structural behavior of global system etc. According to analysis result, the open-cell caisson has good performance compare with general caisson type.uce theses damages, new type breakwater systems using interlocking caisson are researched. Generally, caissons of breakwater system were constructed on crushed rock mound. They had a little space of 10-20 cm between each caisson. In this reason, they resist separately under external environmental ocean condition. A resistance mechanism of this method is friction force between caisson and crushed rock. Majority of failure is sliding failure, when it is exposed to more than design load. On the contrary, new type breakwater system as interlocking caissons resists effectively against abnormal wave because they are connected by specific joint method between each caisson. In this study, based on an open-cell caisson which is one of the interlocking concepts, we evaluated the performance of dynamic behavior for breakwater system using finite element analysis such as distribution subgrade reaction force, structural behavior of global system etc. According to analysis result, the open-cell caisson has good performance compare with general caisson type.