Experimental Study on Real-Time Tsunami Protection Structures

Abstract

Two kinds of new tsunami protection structures have been developed: a flap-gate breakwater named FLAPGATE, and a flap-gate seawall named No Energy and no Operation Rising Seawall (NEORISE). These structures are similar to the barrier employed in the Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico (MOSE) Project in Venice. FLAPGATE and NEORISE can rise up and form a continuous wall by using tsunami forces in addition to buoyancy. Using the tsunami forces allows these structures to provide real-time tsunami protection. In this study, the capability and availability of these structures for real-time protection against tsunamis was examined and verified by a series of hydraulic model experiments. It was found that FLAPGATE and NEORISE rise up rapidly against tsunami wave attacks and have the capability of providing real-time tsunami protection.