Numerical modelling of consolidation of 2-D porous unsaturated seabed under a composite breakwater

Abstract

The investigation of seabed consolidation under a breakwater is not available in previous literatures. In this study, taking the dynamic Biot's equation known as "u-p" approximation as the governing equation, a FEM program PORO-WSSI 2D is developed for the consolidation and dynamic response of porous medium. By adopting PORO-WSSI 2D, the consolidation of unsaturated seabed under a composite breakwater and hydrostatic pressure is investi-gated. The floating force acting on the bottom of caisson has been considered in numerical computation. The excess pore pressure dissipation, growth of effective stresses, settlement of breakwater and the shear stress concentration in seabed foundation all can be monitored. The developed FEM program provides coastal engineers with an effective analysis tool to predict the shear failure in seabed foundation.