Project Title: Performance Based Tsunami Engineering- Physical Modeling of Tsunami Induced Sediment Transport and Scour
Personnel: Prof. Yin Lu Young (co-PI, faculty mentor), Princeton University; Heng Xiao (Graduate Student), Princeton University
Abstract: As demonstrated by the 2004 Sumatra Tsunami, high intensity wave run-up and drawdown can mobilize substantial amount of sediment deposits. The resulting erosion and scour damage can undermine building foundations, roadways, sea walls, embankments, and may even lead to eventual collapse of the coastal structure. However, tsunami-induced sediment transport and scour is poorly understood due to the complex mechanics, which involve transient, high velocity wave run-up and drawdown, bore formation and collapse, and infiltration and exfiltration which may lead to partial or complete soil liquefaction. The proposed research is part of a NSF-funded project titled “NEESR-SG: Development of Performance Based Tsunami Engineering (PBTE)”, which aims to develop a more rational basis on which to design coastal infrastructure for tsunamis. One component of this research is to investigate tsunami-induced sediment transport and scour. The objective of the proposed work is to improve our understanding of the fundamental mechanics of tsunami run-up and drawdown over a movable bed, and associated scour. We will conduct large-scale experimental studies at the NEES Tsunami Wave Basin. The setup involves physical simulation of solitary wave over a movable sand bed with an initial constant slope of 1:10 and 1:15 with and without a reef. The beach will be made of natural Oregon beach sand with D50=0.2mm.

The REU student will be responsible for:

  • Reviewing literature related to tsunami sediment transport and scour
  • Assisting in the setup of the experiments, including the calibration and installation of various sensors (e.g. wave gauges, OBS sensors, pore pressure sensors, etc)
  • Conducting experiments to measure the wave profile, flow speed, fluid pressure gradient, sediment flux rates, bottom morphology, and pore pressure gradients.
  • Assuring quality control of the data
  • Developing empirical sediment transport model
  • Summarizing and presenting research