A Study on Estimation of Tsunami Force Acting on Structures

Abstract

The hydraulic experiments have been carried out for estimating tsunami wave force through water level, velocity, force and pressure measurements. Force estimation through integrating wave pressure had been conducted at almost all elements on exposed area. Precise estimation of wave force seems very difficult because the gap of time lag occurred certainly on each line of measurement points. Present study data were compared to the past of available design guidelines for tsunami forces and some available data from past experiments in order to check the validity of some tsunami wave force estimation methods. Some modification equations that refer to function of maximum inundation depth, maximum velocity and run up distance from shoreline are proposed for more considerable agreement of tsunami wave forces estimation.