Overview and Design Considerations of Storm Surge Barriers
Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 4
Abstract
The risk of flooding in coastal zones is expected to increase due to sea level rise and economic development. In larger bays, estuaries, and coastal waterways, storm surge barriers can be constructed to temporarily close off these systems during storm surges to provide coastal flood protection. Worldwide, 18 storm surge barriers have been constructed thus far, but they are increasingly being considered as a future solution for other coastal locations. This study provides a systematic overview of existing storm surge barriers. It analyzes information about the main functions of each barrier, the type of gates used, and the associated costs. It also shows that functional requirements determine the design and layout of the barrier. The main design challenges are discussed. The study results may be of use in future planning and preliminary storm surge barrier design.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the support of Royal HaskoningDHV and thank Marloes van Ginkel and Mathijs van Ledden for their reviews and contributions.
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© 2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jun 27, 2016
Accepted: Nov 1, 2016
Published online: Mar 9, 2017
Published in print: Jul 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Aug 9, 2017
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