Assessment of Wave Impacts on Highway Embankments due to Hurricanes/Tropical Storms in Coastal Louisiana

Details

• Creators:
  Tiwari, Abhishek K ; Wang, Jay X.
• Corporate Creators:
  Louisiana Tech University. Civil Engineering Program
• Corporate Contributors:
  The Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC) Region 6 University Transportation Center (UTC) ; United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  Embankments Geosynthetics Hurricanes Risk Assessment Water Pressure Wave Drag
• Publication/ Report Number:
  CY1-LTU-03
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  United States
• Edition:
  Final, October 2023 – January 2025
• Corporate Publisher:
  The Southern Plains Transportation Center (SPTC) Region 6 University Transportation Center (UTC)
• Abstract:
  This study focuses on the analysis of wave pressure analyses and development of wave pressure envelopes that can be used for the design of coastal embankment as well as for assessing vulnerability of existing embankment to hurricanes along Louisiana’s coastline due to adverse weather events. The research integrates the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) analysis with Ordinary Kriging Interpolation, producing a comprehensive spatial representation of wave height for return periods of 2, 5, 10, and 20 years. This innovative approach enables more accurate predictions of wave height variability across the Louisiana coastline, identifying regions that are most vulnerable to extreme weather impacts. Wave height data were collected from an expanded network of monitoring stations, incorporating historical hurricane data to simulate extreme conditions. The study employs empirical formulas, including the Minikin and Blackmore-Hewson methods, to calculate hydrodynamic pressures and forces on embankments. Detailed pressure distribution diagrams were developed to illustrate the combined effects of hydrodynamic and hydrostatic forces, aiding in the optimization of embankment designs. The outcome of this study underscores the critical importance of designing region-specific coastal embankments that account for spatial variability in wave impacts. The methodology outlined in this report offers a practical solution for predicting wave heights and calculating wave-induced forces on embankments, supporting disaster risk management and coastal engineering applications. The research findings will be implemented by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) in dike design practices for coastal marsh creation projects, contributing to the prevention of wetland loss in coastal Louisiana.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  69A3552348306
• Collection(s):
  University Transportation Centers
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6e510a49dd52e003bab6454bad161c8cd21ca24bc3047f63b50a83f167161f7e764efd5bd967a44dc94b3874209e0b274931ec31a0e6af67510c7d8133aacb0d
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88396/dot_88396_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 7.11 MB ]