TSUNAMI OVERFLOW-SEEPAGE-COUPLED CENTRIFUGE EXPERIMENT AND ITS APPLICATION TO MOUND SCOUR

Abstract

 A new tsunami overflow-seepage-coupled centrifuge experiment was developed and applied to the problem of mound scour with high-resolution image analysis. The results demonstrate the way in which the scour front developed accopanying progressive slip failure of rubble mounds at the vicinity of caissons. It is found that the coupled overflow-seepage promoted the development of scour significantly. Furthermore, the results show the occurrence of washout and boiling as a consequence of the coupled overflow-seepage, yielding a cavity formation beneath the caissons. These findings will facilitate better inspection and improvement of the stability of rubble mounds of breakwaters.