The work consisted in experimental and numerical modelling on wave structure interaction phenomena. Experimental modelling has been carried out in both small- and large-scale wave facilities. Numerical modelling has employed a meshless Lagrangian particle-based and open-source solver, named DualSPHysics and the Non-linear Shallow Waters equation-based model SWASH.
First, physical model tests have been carried out in the small-scale wave flume facility, named CIEMito, at the Maritime Engineering Laboratory of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (LIM/UPC), in Barcelona (Spain). The adopted model scale was 1:50. The experimental campaign aimed at analysing the validity of the safety limits and design criteria for overtopping discharge. An urbanized stretch of the Catalan coast, exposed to significant overtopping events every stormy season, was selected as case of study, considered as representative of the sea promenade existing in the whole metropolitan area. The results proved pedestrian hazard is linked to the combination of overtopping flow velocity and flow depth rather than to single maximum values of one of these parameters.
Numerical modelling was initially employed to extend the results from the small-scale physical model tests beyond the range of tested conditions. This was done by employing both SWASH and DualSPHysics models. Numerical modelling was also employed to simulate real cases from coastal engineering thanks to the parallel power computing of GPUs. For it, a particular coastal infrastructure in urban asset with a high historical and social value, the Pont del Petroli pier in the area of Badalona, Spain, was selected as case of study. DualSPHysics was employed as an aid for the experimental campaign that has been carried out afterwards at LIM/UPC and demonstrated that the main failure mechanism that led to severe structural damage of the pier during the storm is related to the exceeded lateral soil resistance.
Finally, a second experimental campaign was carried out in the large-scale wave flume facility, named CIEM, at LIM/UPC. Wave loading and overtopping flows over the pier were assessed for extreme wave conditions, taking into account possible climate change scenarios. The experimental model results will be exploited to be directly employed for the pier reconstruction by the Badalona City Council.
All the aforementioned activity, together with other parallel or minor ones, in collaboration with Universities and Research Centres from all over the world (Flanders Hydraulics Research, University of Salerno, University of Western Australia, etc) led to 14 publications in international scientific peer-reviewed journals. Seven of them were focused on wave overtopping analysis and characterization, seven of them on numerical model implementation and validation, keeping a perfect balance between experimental and numerical modelling.
The outcomes of the conducted research have been accepted for presentation in 6 international conferences. Finally, dissemination activities comprise 1 publication in the Hydrolink IAHR Magazine, 3 invited keynote lectures, 1 organized international workshop and 2 organized training events on DualSPHysics.
