Optimum Safety Levels and Design Rules for the Icelandic-Type Berm Breakwater

• Published in: Coastal Structures 2007
• Main Authors: Sigurdarson, Sigurdur, van der Meer, Jentsje W., Burcharth, Hans F., Sørensen, John Dalsgaard
• Other Authors: Franco, Leopoldo, Tomasicchio, Giuseppe R., Lamberti, Alberto
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: World Scientific 2009
• Subjects: Breakwaters; Berm Breakwaters; Icelandic-Type Berm Breakwaters; Safety Optimizations; Repair Strategies; Optimal Safety Level; Breakwater; Norway; Iceland
• Online Access: https://vbn.aau.dk/da/publications/c8b68e40-ee38-11de-b63d-000ea68e967b; https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814282024_0005; https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/files/47781175/Optimum_Safety_Levels_and_Design_Rules_for_the_Icelandic_Type_Berm_Breakwater.pdf

This paper gives first an elaboration of berm recession equations for berm breakwaters and then new deterministic design rules for the Icelandic-type berm breakwater. Safety optimization calculations have been performed for a mild depth limited wave climate and for a situation a deep water. Repair strategies and possible failure with corresponding downtime have been taken into account, as well as actual market prices (in Iceland and Norway) for rack material and construction. Calculations show that low stability numbers for the largest rock armour layer give the optimal safety level. This paper gives first an elaboration of berm recession equations for berm breakwaters and then new deterministic design rules for the Icelandic-type berm breakwater. Safety optimization calculations have been performed for a mild depth limited wave climate and for a situation a deep water. Repair strategies and possible failure with corresponding downtime have been taken into account, as well as actual market prices (in Iceland and Norway) for rack material and construction. Calculations show that low stability numbers for the largest rock armour layer give the optimal safety level.