Applicability of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics for estimation of sea wave impact on coastal structures

• The applicability of the DualSPHysics model to real coastal engineering is shown.
• The wave loads on coastal defences are assessed using DualSPHysics.
• A validation phase with theoretical solutions and experimental data is reported.
• The accuracy to model wave impacts on different structures is proven.
• The model has been used to assess the forces on new defences for Belgian harbours.

The present work describes the validation of an SPH-based technique for wave loading on coastal structures. The so-called DualSPHysics numerical model has been used for the scope. The attention is focused on wave impact on vertical structures and storm return walls. For vertical quay walls, the numerical results have been compared with analytical and semi-empirical solutions. Later on, the wave impact on storm return walls has been modelled and the results have been compared with experimental data. Regular and random waves have been simulated. Despite the model limitations (e.g. lack of an active wave absorption system), good agreement is achieved with the formulae predictions and experimental results which proves that DualSPHysics model is becoming an alternative to some classical approaches and can be used as complementary tool for the preliminary design of coastal structures.