Two new publications on the interaction of waves and revetments
Revetments protect dikes from erosion caused by waves and currents and thus are an essential element of flood and storm surge protection. Due to a limited understanding of the wave-structure-interaction, the design of the mortar-grouted riprap revetment (MGRR), which is frequently build on the North Sea coast, is yet solely based on empirical knowledge.
Crack formation due to tensile bending stresses
On the topic of crack formation due to tensile bending stresses in Mortar-Grouted Riprap Revetments, which is a major damage mechanism, the article "Tensile Bending Stresses in Mortar-Grouted Riprap Revetments Due to Wave Loading" was published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. In it, full-scale hydraulic model tests are used to describe the wave loading. Subsequently, the tensile bending stresses are calculated with a structural model. Click here to go directly to the publication.
Wave run-up on revetments
Another important parameter in dike design is the wave run-up height, which is used to determine the crest height and the number of overtopping waves. Mortar-Grouted Riprap Revetments significantly reduce the wave runup height compared to an impermeable and smooth revetment. Thus, an improved prediction of the previously unquantified wave run-up height for Mortar-Grouted Riprap Revetments contributes to an economical and safe design. Together with the Department of Hydromechanics, Coastal and Ocean Engineering of the Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources, the article "Wave Run-Up on Mortar-Grouted Riprap Revetments" was published in the journal "Water". Click here to go directly to the publication.