A Unique Tsunami Generator for Physical Modelling of Violent Flows and Their Impact

Abstract eng:
Tsunami waves travel across oceans with quite small vertical displacements, but shoal up dramatically in coastal and nearshore depths, and can cause extensive loss of life and infrastructure. Propagation of tsunami waves in the nearshore, across the shoreline, and then inland is not well modeled by many current techniques. Physical modeling can be used to study flow and force processes, but correct generation of the tsunami wave(s) is essential and conventional wave paddles simply do not have adequate stroke to reproduce the required wavelength. A collaboration between University College London (UCL) and HR Wallingford (HRW) is working to eliminate obstacles to physical modeling of tsunamis and their effects. Within this project, HRW has constructed an innovative Tsunami Generator which is capable of generating multiple waves, an initial draw-down and ensure realistic wavelengths. The Tsunami Generator is mounted within a 45m wave flume and is able to generate tsunami waves which have been previously transformed from deeper water (approx -200m) to shallow water (approx -20 to -50m) using any suitable numerical model. Bathymetry in the wave flume shoals the tsunami waves over a representative coastal slope though the shoreline and inland, covering a suitable inland inundation area. Several stages of modeling are required to validate details of the Tsunami Generator design and control system. The modelling team will then measure flow / wave driven loadings on representative (model) buildings. This paper presents a summary of these and outlines opportunities for international teams to carry out participative testing using this unique facility.

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