Author(s): Gabriella Mauti, Jacob Stolle, Ioan Nistor, Majid Mohammadian

Linked Author(s): Jacob Stolle, Ioan Nistor, Majid Mohammadian

Keywords: Debris; Floods; Tsunami; Structures; Extreme loads;

Abstract: Debris entrained in tsunami bores and storms surges can form accumulations on structures, a phenomenon known as debris damming. Debris dams increase the exposed area to the flow, resulting in an increase in structural loading. Debris dams have also been known to result in a rise in water depth upstream of structures, which can cause overtopping. This study investigates the effects of debris damming through the use of idealized debris dams secured to a circular column. The idealized debris dams varied in terms of dam height and porosity. The experiments were conducted in transient flow conditions utilizing a modified dam-break wave. Results from this study illustrate that the presence of debris dams significantly increased the forces acting on the flow obstacle. Force coefficients decreased with increased impoundment depths and dam heights. Porosity reduced the loading on the column and the bulk area force coefficients.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/38WC092019-0380

Year: 2019