Reliability-Based Design Optimization for a Vertical-Type Breakwater with an Emphasis on Sliding, Overturn, and Collapse Failure

Abstract

To promote the application of reliability-based design within the Korean coastal engineering community, the author conducted reliability analyses and optimized the design of a vertical-type breakwater, considering multiple limit states in the seas off of Pusan and Gunsan – two representative ports in Korea. In this process, rather than relying on design waves of a specific return period, the author intentionally avoided such constraints. Instead, the author characterized the uncertainties associated with wave force, lift force, and overturning moment – key factors significantly influencing the integrity of a vertical-type breakwater. This characterization was achieved by employing a probabilistic model derived from the frequency analysis results of long-term in-situ wave data. The limit state of the vertical-type breakwater encompassed sliding, overturning, and collapse failure, with the close interrelation between wave force, lift force, and moment described using the Nataf joint probability distribution. Simulation results indicate, as expected, that considering only sliding failure underestimates the failure probability. Furthermore, it was shown that the failure probability of vertical-type breakwaters cannot be consistently secured using design waves with a specific return period. In contrast, breakwaters optimally designed to meet the reliability index requirement of <i>β</i>-3.5 to 4 consistently achieve a consistent failure probability across all sea areas.