Publications

This paper presents the analysis of the probability of occurrence of wave overtopping events as well as its consequences at the Port of Las Nieves in Agaete, Gran Canaria Island, with the evaluation of the resulting level of flood risk. The study has been conducted using a third-generation spectral wave model to reproduce wave propagation from deep to shallow water depths considering the associated mean sea level, and a neural network-based model, for estimating mean wave overtopping discharges. Results reveal that overtopping in the initial sections of the port, located in the port access area, is substantially higher than that associated with the cross-sections of the main body of the breakwater, so that control actions to reduce overtopping are required due to the important socioeconomic implications regarding the infrastructure inoperability.

Neste trabalho, descreve-se a aplicação ao porto e baía da Praia da Vitória, na ilha Terceira, Açores, Portugal, da metodologia de avaliação do risco de galgamentos em estruturas marítimas em desenvolvimento no LNEC, considerando duas ferramentas neuronais para cálculo dos galgamentos baseadas em resultados da aplicação de redes neuronais artificiais, nomeadamente a ferramenta NN_Overtopping2 e a Overtopping Predictor v1.1. Em particular, avalia-se comparativamente quais as implicações que a utilização de cada uma destas ferramentas tem em termos de número de eventos de galgamento e magnitude dos caudais médios galgados, bem como consequente grau de risco, para as 9 secções-tipo de estruturas marítimas estudadas no porto e baía da Praia da Vitória. O período de estudo é de 5 anos (2008 a 2012).

O galgamento de estruturas portuárias consiste na passagem de água sobre o coroamento da estrutura pela ação da agitação marítima e é um dos fenómenos com maior impacto na integridade da estrutura e na segurança da zona por ela protegida. O principal objetivo deste trabalho é estudar o galgamento num quebra-mar de taludes, com um importante muro cortina, protegido por um quebra-mar submerso. Em particular, pretende-se otimizar a geometria do quebra-mar submerso situado a barlamar do quebra-mar de taludes, no qual se pretende diminuir o galgamento.A estrutura marítima em estudo é o molhe norte do Porto de Leixões, em frente ao qual já existe um quebra-mar submerso na zona da cabeça. Pretende-se estender a zona do molhe protegida pelo quebra-mar submerso e, para tal, é necessário estudar qual a melhor geometria e posição a adotar para este quebra-mar.Para estudar a influência da geometria e da posição do quebra-mar submerso no galgamento do molhe norte, utilizou-se o modelo numérico IH2VOF. Simularam-se três condições de agitação regular, que diferem somente na altura de onda, e sete geometrias do quebra-mar submerso, que diferem da configuração original (a existente atualmente) em três características: a distância entre o quebra-mar submerso e o molhe, a cota de coroamento do quebra-mar submerso e a sua largura de coroamento.Com a realização deste estudo, para as condições de agitação consideradas, verificou-se que as características com maior impacto na redução do galgamento no molhe norte do Porto de Leixões são: o aumento da distância entre o quebra-mar submerso e o molhe e o aumento da cota de coroamento do quebra-mar submerso. O caudal médio de galgamento para as condições de agitação em estudo reduziu-se de um valor máximo de 0,71 l/s/m para a configuração original para 0,02 l/s/m em duas das novas configurações analisadas, ou seja, uma redução de 97% face à configuração original.

The susceptibility of bridge decks to vortex induced oscillations can b eaddressed through wind-tunnel testing. This paper considers the case of the Vila-Real Bridge, in the north of Portugal, which has the highest deck above ground (230m), among concrete-deck bridges cable-stayed in the central plane. It has a single-cell rectangular box girder with a wide top flange supported by regularly spaced inclined struts. Aeroelastic studies of this precise type of deck seem nonexistent in the literature.Results of sectional model tests are presented for a selection of three distinct angles of attack and three deck configurations, including a solution, alternative to the usual mitigation measures, that solved the susceptibility to vortex induced vibration of the deck and that has no relevant additional design or building costs.With the proposed approach, bridge designers may be able to relegate the use of sections with high aerodynamic performance

Wave-induced flow velocity and turbulence may cause scouring in the seabed around coastal structures depending on the wave climate and tidal water depth. A 3-D physical modelling study was conducted to investigate the possible causes of the sinking of two submerged coastal structures on the Santa Maria del Mar (SMM) beach, Spain. The experimental investigation was conducted by employing a Froude similarity law with a geometric scale of 1:20, and the submerged modular structure was subjected to different wave climates and tidal water levels. The combinations of the significant wave height and peak period were chosen from in-situ real wave conditions thatwere monitored during the sinking of the prototype structures. Linking and unlinking conditions for the modules in the structure were investigated in this study. The results show that the modules sank to approximately 48% of their height at the end of the tests with storm waves and semi-linking conditions of low water depth. Most of the experimental results were compatible with the prototype monitoring results. Tests with proper linking among themodules and testswith an appropriate gravel foundation resulted in a sustainable solution because they presented much less or almost no scouring and sinking.

Despite the simplicity of the geometry of the circular cylinders, the uniform flow around them is complex,since it may induce unsteady forces on structures associated with vortex shedding. This paper describes the study of two circular cylinders (the downstream one is elastically mounted in transversal direction) in tandem arrangement subject to bi-dimensional uniform laminar flows at low Reynolds numbers. The academic numerical model Ifeinco, which is based on the finite element method and uses a partitioned scheme that considers two-way interaction of fluid flow and structure, has been employed to the analysis.Firstly, both stationary cylinders in tandem arrangement for Re = 100 are analysed for center to center distance between the cylinders, L/D, from 1.5 to 6.0. Results of lift and drag coefficients and Strouhal number are compared with other numerical results and good agreement is found. Secondly, numerical results for L/D = 5.25, considering downstream elastically mounted cylinder, are analysed for Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 140. It shows that the resonance occurs for Reynolds numbers between 115 and 120 and the maximum dimensionless amplitude of oscillation is 0.721 for Re = 118.

Techniques based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) have been increasingly applied to predict emergency situations, such as extreme wave conditions, wave overtopping or flooding, and damage to maritime structures, in coastal and port areas. In this work, a fuzzy adaptive resonance theory with mapping (FAM) ANN was trained to predict the wave regime both inside and at the entrance to the Port of Sines, one of the major trade and economic gateways of the Iberian Peninsula, located on the Portuguese west coast. In situ measurements using pressure sensors, wave buoy data, and results from two numerical wave propagation models

The main goal of this paper is to develop a photogrammetric method in order to obtain arobust tool for damage assessment and quantification of rubble-mound armour layers during physicalscale model tests. With the present work, an innovative approach based on a reduced number ofdigital photos is proposed to support the identification of affected areas. This work considers twosimple digital photographs recording the instants before and after the completion of the physicaltest. Mathematical techniques were considered in the development of the procedures, enabling thetracking of image differences between photos. The procedures were developed using an open-sourceapplication, Scilab, nevertheless they are not platform dependent. The procedures developed enablethe location and identity of eroded areas in the breakwater armour layer, as well as the possibilityof quantifying them. This ability is confirmed through the calculation of correlation coefficients ineach step of the search for the more damaged area. It is also possible to make an assessment of themovement of armour layer units.

O presente trabalho descreve a aplicação do modelo numérico COULWAVE ao estudo da propagação de ondas na zona da Praia do Lugar de Baixo, Madeira, com vista a simular as características hidrodinâmicas na zona de estudo permitindo analisar as alturas de ondas, zona de rebentação e reflexão da onda junto à costa. O objetivo final é propor soluções para a renaturalização desta zona e o melhoramento das condições de surf.

The objective of this paper is to describe and compare the use of different high-resolution survey techniques to create and analyse 3D surface models made up of point clouds, using open-source and freeware post-processing tools. Within this framework, several tests were conducted on a three-dimensional scale model of a breakwater, with surveys performed by a smartphone, the Microsoft® Kinect® sensor and a UAV camera. All the tests were conducted for a physical model placed in an empty wave tank. For this comparison, a number of post-processing software were used: the Microsoft Kinect Fusion Application, Visual SFM and MicMac, all freeware software. The clouds of points were compared using the CloudCompare freeware software and the Golden Software Surfer commercial software.In order to obtain a clear comparison between these tools (i.e., to better evaluate accuracy and associated errors), all the point clouds (with RGB colour information) were aligned with data coming from a survey used to coordinate some points in the model (Ground Control Points). All the clouds were compared with a corrected cloud based upon coordinated points painted on the concrete floor of the wave tank.The specific experimental conditions needed for using each of these methodologies were investigated and classified.

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se os novos desenvolvimentos que estão em curso no sistema SWAMS ALERT, que é um sistema previsão, alerta e avaliação de risco de eventos perigosos associados à navegação em áreas portuárias e ao comportamento dos navios amarrados.O sistema usa as características da agitação marítima previstas para determinar os seus efeitos em termos de forças em amarras e defensas, bem como de movimentos de um navio amarrado. Para isso, o sistema utiliza um conjunto de modelos numéricos. O sistema consiste em quatro módulos: I - Características da agitação marítima; II - Navegação em áreas portuárias; III - Avaliação de Risco e IV - Sistema de Alerta. A interface do sistema é através de uma plataforma web totalmente interativa e amigável.Ilustra-se a aplicação deste sistema ao porto da Praia da Vitória.

This paper presents recent new features of the Systematic Observation of Maritime Works (OSOM+) program, under development at LNEC since 1986, for using in an extensive number of maritime structures of mainland Portugal. Those functionalities are illustrated with applications to a real case scenario (the port of Ericeira) and by indicating their added-value on the existing methodology.

It is common for the local sea state in coastal waters to be a complex combination of waves due to local and recent wind (the "sea") and long period waves resulting from earlier weather systems, which have travelled many 100s of km with little attenuation of these very long waves (the "swell"). Sea and swell may have very different directions and periods.

This paper presents the validation of a wave maker with active absorption method implemented in FLUENT® RANS-VOF code for modelling long time series of waves propagating and interacting with coastal structures, more specifically, with Oscillating Water Column devices, to cancel out the reflected wave that reaches the wave maker. Verification of the numerical technique was performed in a 3D wave tank in which a technique of multiple active absorption wave makers was used. Good results were obtained in quasi-3D and fully-3D applications showing that active absorption should be used for modelling accurately the complex interaction between wave and coastal structures, in the present case, with an oscillating water column device integrated in a vertical breakwater.

Due to both its geographic location and maritime importance, Portugal is equipped with a large number of port infrastructures, the majority of which built for goals such as to guarantee the tranquility of the sheltered areas of the harbour basins, to help controlling sedimentation by guiding the currents, to protect water taken from thermoelectric plants, amongst others. In Portugal, the most common of these structures is the rubblemound breakwater. Due to its characteristics, maintenance or repair works are common throughout its lifetime. However, the need for these repair works should be evaluated in advance, in order to avoid significant costs associated to those works or, even worse, the collapse of the structure. It is therefore quite important to evaluate the Present Condition of the structure, as well its Evolution and Risk Conditions. The Present Condition is periodically checked on-site and all relevant data gathered is recorded, by filling in inspection forms, in order to perform further comparisons and analyses with previous inspections of the structure, as to eventually characterize Evolution and Risk conditions. To expedite all this process and prevent likely occurrence of errors in data collection, a monitoring tool, supported through a map-based online geographic information system (WebGIS) was developed, enabling the georeferencing of the structures concerned. This system adapts to the location of the user

The air entrainment effect on wave breaking is of the highest importance for the wave energy dissipation. Wave breaking is a complex phenomenon with several physical processes, making it difficult to quantify the contribution of the air in the energy dissipation process. This study presents a different approach where the wave propagation is exposed to air injected in the bottom of a wave flume. The experiment allows studying in a controlled environment the direct effect of the air bubbles in the wave propagation. The measurements show the free surface elevations and velocity profiles at two sections of the wave flume. The turbulence effect of the air injection on the wave propagation was evaluated. The results show differences for the three types of air injection that were tested. The air injection rate of each orifice is an important factor for the wave dissipation. The wave heights were found to decrease due to the air injection. The Turbulent Kinetic Energy shows an increase along the water column and on the downstream direction of the flume.

Apresenta-se nesta comunicação uma técnica baseada em análise de imagem para a medição e caraterização da concentração de ar produzida no processo de rebentação de onda. Para este efeito, realizaram-se filmagens dos ensaios num canal de ondas no Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC), que reproduzem dois tipos de rebentação de onda, progressiva e mergulhante. A validação da técnica de análise de imagem é feita por dois métodos, o primeiro com recurso à injeção de bolhas de ar através de uma bomba de ar e o segundo com a medição pontual da concentração de ar com uma sonda de deteção de bolhas de ar. Os resultados, relativos aos dois tipos de rebentação de onda, mostram as concentrações de ar e a distribuição da pluma de bolhas de ar. As medições realizadas permitem quantificar e caracterizar o ar emulsionado no processo de rebentação de onda.

Um dispositivo de aproveitamento da energia das ondas de tipo coluna de água oscilante (CAO) near-shore (que pode se assimilar a um cilindro vertical oco com a sua parte inferior aberta e a parte superior equipada com uma turbina Wells) implementada em profundidade intermédia pequena é estudado numericamente recorrendo a um modelo RANS-VOF 3D. O modelo numérico integra técnicas de geração e absorção das ondas por batedores múltiplos que permite dispor de um tanque de onda eficiente, eliminando as ondas reflectidas e difractadas. O dispositivo de CAO near-shore é um dispositivo alternativo ao clássico dispositivo integrado em quebra-mar ou na linha de costa e ao dispositivo off-shore (assimilado a um cilindro vertical oco estabilizado por um sistema de ancoragem por cabos) e tem duas vantagens: a resposta do dispositivo é independente da direcção das ondas e pode ser facilmente afundado no fundo do mar já que o dispositivo é desenhado para ser implementado em profundida pequena (~20 m). No entanto, a proximidade do fundo e a interacção complexa onda-estrutura resultante podem interferir em termo hidrodinâmico e energético na resposta do dispositivo CAO near-shore, comparativamente a um dispositivo off-shore. O artigo apresenta os primeiros resultados deste projecto através da análise pormenorizada de um caso de agitação marítima. Também, permite evidenciar e prever respostas diferentes do dispositivo CAO near-shore de um dispositivo clássico off-shore através da analise das series temporais de elevação de superfície livre, do caudal na turbina, da pressão na câmara-de-ar da CAO, da potência pneumática e dos vectores e campos de velocidade e de vorticidade ao redor e dentro do dispositivo.

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