Modeling of concrete mattress for shore protection by Plaxis 2D

Abstract

Traditionally, shore protection revetments are designed by limit equilibrium method developed by Pilarczyk (Pilarczyk, et.al, 1998; Breteler, et.al, 1998; Pilarczyk, 2003). The method is also applicable for determining thickness of concrete mattress required to withstand a certain height of waves. However, the method cannot predict deformation of concrete mattress subjected to repetitive wave loads. This paper elaborates the modeling of concrete mattress against the dynamic loading of waves by means of Finite Element Method (Plaxis 2D). It is found that the conventional method is adequate in determining thickness of concrete mattress required against wave height with a factor of safety against lift off in the order of 3.5. The movement of the concrete mattress can be assessed by simulating the wave loads as a concentrated sinusoidal dynamic load at the point of wave impact.