Sensitivity analysis of existing exponential empirical formulas for pore pressure distribution inside breakwater core using numerical modeling

Abstract

A series of numerical experiments were carried out to perform a sensitivity analysis for existing exponential empirical formulas for pore pressure distribution inside the breakwater core. The Forchheimer equation was solved using a CFD modeling (Flow-3D) along with the official license from the Flow Science, Inc. Pore pressure field observations of Zeebrugge breakwater core were used to calibrate the numerical model. Results of sensitivity analysis represented the wave period as an effective parameter on wave-induced pore pressure inside the rubble mound breakwater core and a sensitive parameter for empirical formulas hile other wave parameters like wave height and water depth did not stimulate the formulas sensitivity.