Author(s): Jordan Keck; Tori Tomiczek; Dan Mcmann; Daniel Cox; Margaret Libby; Pedro Lomonaco

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Physical model experiment; Overtopping; Rhizophora mangle; Hybrid infrastructure; Coastal resilience

Abstract: This paper presents results of a reduced (1:8) scale experiment investigating the performance of hybrid structural (gray) and natural-based (green) infrastructure for wave overtopping reduction. Experiments were scaled to a 1:8 geometric scale based on 1:2-scale experiments conducted during the Summer of 2023 at Oregon State University. Seven wave conditions were tested, with (model-scale) wave periods ranging from 1 to 2 seconds and wave heights ranging from 6.0 to 7.5 cm. These wave conditions were conducted throughout two configurations: a seawall-only (baseline) configuration and a configuration with the seawall in combination with a mangrove forest installed seaward of the wall. The total volume of overtopped water was measured for each wave condition. Results indicated that adding mangroves reduced overtopping for all wave conditions, with an average of 32.1% reduction in overtopped volume compared to the baseline configurations. This reduction falls within the range of preexisting overtopping rates. Results from these experiments can assist engineers in understanding the performance of hybrid coastal infrastructure to design effective and sustainable shoreline protection.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59490/coastlab.2024.699

Year: 2024