Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Barge Impacts on Hurricane Floodwalls
Publication: Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 34, Issue 2
Abstract
Hurricanes produce high winds and heavy precipitation, causing widespread damage to infrastructure in coastal areas. Throughout low-lying coastal cities such as New Orleans, Louisiana, a network of constructed waterway systems is maintained to mitigate flooding effects during hurricane events. However, for any waterway vessels (e.g., barges) located within the waterway network, hurricane winds and storm surges can propel the vessels into nearby protection structures. In the event that such impacts lead to failure (localized breaches or overturning), catastrophic flooding can occur to the surrounding area. Presented in this paper is a framework for assessing the risk associated with barge impacts on floodwall protection structures. Components of the framework bring together findings from forensic, experimental, and numerical modeling investigations, which collectively allow for both probability of failure and consequence of failure assessments. Use of the framework is demonstrated for critical floodwall infrastructure located throughout New Orleans, leading to recommendations for improved design of hurricane and storm damage risk reduction systems.
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Data Availability Statement
Pending review by the authors and by appropriate USACE personnel, selected data items used during this study are available by request to the corresponding author. Examples of items that may be requested include plot data for interquartile plots of risk indices, impact force versus horizontal deflection at floodwall limit states, maximum barge impact force versus velocity and angle, and barge impact force versus return period.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Task Force Hope, Mississippi River Valley Division, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Hurricane Protection Office, USACE New Orleans Distinct for providing financial support for this study. Technical support was provided by Kent Hokens, USACE St. Paul District; C. Johnny Walker, USACE New Orleans District; Dr. Michael McCormick, US Naval Academy; Dr. Bill Marr, US Naval Academy; Dr. Patrick Hudson, Moment Engineering; and University of Florida Graduate Research Assistants Daniel Getter and Zachary Harper. Technical guidance and review was provided by Anjana Chudgar, USACE Headquarters; and Donald Dressler, USACE Headquarters.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
Volume 34 • Issue 2 • April 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 15, 2019
Accepted: Sep 6, 2019
Published online: Jan 23, 2020
Published in print: Apr 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Jun 23, 2020
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