Simulated Wave-Induced Erosion of the Mississippi River–Gulf Outlet Levees during Hurricane Katrina
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VIEW THE REPLYPublication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 136, Issue 3
Abstract
This case study on the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet earthen berm/spoil bank (EBSB) illustrates a method to quantitatively analyze wave-induced lateral erosion and breaching through the flood side of coastal flood protection levees with grass armor prior to overtopping. Lateral wave-induced erosion was evaluated based on a three-step process: (1) velocity profiles were generated using a general purpose transient dynamic finite element program; (2) resistance to wave-induced erosion as a result of grass cover (turf) on the flood face of the EBSB was estimated and no wave-induced erosion was applied until the grass cover protection failed; and (3) estimated soil erodibility characteristics were used, in combination with the estimated wave-induced flood face velocities, to estimate the magnitude of lateral erosion. This case study identified that soil erodibility characteristics directly impact coastal flood protection levee performance, grass/turf armoring provides erosion protection for a limited duration, and identification and evaluation of pre-overtopping wave-induced erosion is an important failure mode to be considered in order to ensure reliable coastal flood protection.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 136 • Issue 3 • May 2010
Pages: 177 - 189
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Nov 2, 2008
Accepted: Aug 4, 2009
Published online: Aug 22, 2009
Published in print: May 2010
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