Tsunami wave loading on coastal houses: a model approach.

Authors :: Thusyanthan, Navaratnam I.
Madabhushi, S. P. Gopal
Source :: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Civil Engineering. Mar2008, Vol. 161 Issue 2, p77-86. 10p. 6 Color Photographs, 2 Black and White Photographs, 3 Diagrams, 2 Charts, 3 Graphs.
Publication Year :: 2008
Abstract: The Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004 killed over 220 000 people and devastated coastal structures, including many thousands of traditional brick-built homes. This paper presents the results of model tests that compare the impact of a tsunami wave on a typical coastal house with that on a new 'tsunami resistant' design developed in the USA and now built in Sri Lanka. Digital images recorded during the test reveal how the tsunami wave passed through the new house design without damaging it, but severely damaged the typical coastal house. Pressure sensor results also provided further insight into tsunami wave loading, indicating that the established Japanese method significantly underestimates maximum impact load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjects :: *TSUNAMIS
*OCEAN waves
*NATURAL disasters
*PRESSURE transducers
*COASTAL ecology
*COASTAL engineering
*BARRIER island ecology

Language :: English
ISSN :: 0965089X
Volume :: 161
Issue :: 2
Database :: Academic Search Index
Journal :: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Civil Engineering
Publication Type :: Conference
Accession number :: 32777994
Full Text :: https://doi.org/10.1680/cien.2008.161.2.77