Author(s): I. Nistor; D. Palermo; T. Al-Faesly; A. Cornett
Linked Author(s): Ioan Nistor
Keywords: Tsunami forces; Post-tsunami field reconnaissance missions; Physical modelling; Extreme hydrodynamic impact; Design codes
Abstract: A comprehensive research program on tsunami-induced forces on infrastructure located in coastal areas was initiated at the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Ottawa, Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Hydraulics Centre, National Research Council of Canada. The paper is presenting some of the results of this interdisciplinary project undertaken by coastal and structural engineers. This research project spanned over a period of six years and included posttsunami field reconnaissance missions as well as physical and numerical modelling of the tsunamiinduced hydrodynamic forces on buildings and their component structural elements. The authors have conducted several field investigation following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania) and, more recently, following the February 2010 Chilean Tsunami. One of the goals of this research project is to contribute to the understanding of the complex hydrodynamic mechanisms of impact and extreme loading on nearshore buildings located in tsunami-prone areas. At the same time, this project attempts to improve the quantitative estimation of these hydrodynamic loads and to further propose new formulations for the design of inland structures located in areas which affected by potential tsunami wave attack. The paper presents some brief information on the post-tsunami reconnaissance missions, and in more detail, partial results of the experimental program.
Year: 2011