An Integrated Methodological Approach For The Upgrading Of Coastal Structures Due To Climate Change Effects

Theoharris Koftis, Panayotis Prinos, Panayota Galiatsatou, Theofanis Karambas

Monday 29 june 2015

14:20 - 14:35h at North America (level 0)

Themes: (T) Flood risk management and adaptation, (ST) Adaptation measures

Parallel session: 2I. Floodrisk - Adaptation

The impact of climate change on coastal zone is associated with the rise of the mean sea level due to global warming, but also due to the increased storm surge events, that could lead to the increase of extreme wave run-up and overtopping of coastal structures. This results in rising possibility to cause damage to existing coastal protection structures, such as the instability of armor blocks and breakwaters. In this work an integrated methodological approach for the upgrading of coastal structures due to climate change impact is presented. The methodology includes the definition of the performance criteria of the structures and the specification of the climate change scenario for the structure's service lifetime. Various concepts for upgrading existing emerged and submerged rubble mound breakwaters are studied and related costs are estimated. The proposed methodology is implemented for two specific coastal structures, located in Northern Greece; the rubble mound breakwater in the Port of Alexandroupoli and the submerged breakwaters in Paralia Katerini. It is shown that the influence of climate change is stronger in terms of sea level rise rather than the increase of the wave heights. Therefore the structures that are studied fail to fulfill the criteria related to wave overtopping and transmission but satisfy the stability criteria, under the climate change scenario. The final selection takes into account the upgrading costs for each alternative.