Experimental investigation of the impact of a tsunami-induced bore on structures

The paper presents the results of a series of experiments which were carried out in order to quantify the forces and pressures exerted on structures due to the impact of a tsunami-induced hydraulic bore. The final purpose of this ongoing multi-disciplinary research effort is geared towards improving the existing structural codes for the design of buildings located in the vicinity of the shorelines in tsunami-prone areas. In this experimental program, a dam-break flow, generated by the fast opening of a hinged gate, impacted on various free-standing structural elements of different shapes. Pressures and forces exerted on all sides of various types of structures (columns with different cross-sections and walls), together with the bore height and the flow velocities in the flume and around the structures were collected, processed and analyzed. The investigation of the impingement of the hydraulic bores on structures of different shapes, and using different configurations, was performed in order to study the mechanisms and physics of the bore-structure interactions. In addition, wooden logs were added to the bore in order to simulate the impact of floating debris, and the structures' reactions were recorded and analyzed.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye