Se-Hyeon Cheon

Development of Time-Dependent Reliability-Based Design Method Based on Stochastic Process on Caisson Sliding of Vertical Breakwater

Although the existing performance-based design method for the vertical breakwater evaluates an average sliding distance during an arbitrary time, it does not calculate the probability of the first occurrence of an event exceeding an allowable sliding distance(i.e. the first-passage probability). Designers need information about the probability that the structure is damaged for the first time for not only design but also maintenance and operation of the structure. Therefore, in this study, a time-dependent reliability design method based on a stochastic process is developed to evaluate the first-passage probability of caisson sliding. Caisson sliding can be formulated by the Poisson spike process because both occurrence time and intensity of severe waves causing caisson sliding are random processes. The occurrence rate of severe waves is expressed as a function of the distribution function of sliding distance and mean occurrence rate of severe waves. These values simulated by a performance-based design method are expressed as multivariate regression functions of design variables. As a result, because the distribution function of sliding distance and the mean occurrence rate of severe waves are expressed as functions of significant wave height, caisson width, and water depth, the first-passage probability of caisson sliding can be easily evaluated.

Change of Nearshore Random Waves in Response to Sea-level Rise

In this study, a method has been developed for estimating the change of nearshore random waves in response to sea-level rise, by extending the method proposed for regular waves by Townend in 1994. The relative changes in wavelength, refraction coefficient, shoaling coefficient, and wave height for random waves are presented as functions of relative change in water depth. The changes in wavelength and refraction coefficient are calculated by using the significant wave period and principal wave direction in the regular-wave formulas. On the other hand, the changes in shoaling coefficient and wave height are calculated by using the formulas proposed for shoaling and transformation of random waves in the nearshore area including surf zone. The results are proposed in the form of both formulas and graphs. In particular, the relative change in wave height is compared with the result for regular waves.

Beach Sand Grain Size Analysis using Commercial Flat-bed Scanner

For analyzing sand grain size, a specialized high-priced instrument has been used, such as sieve shaker, video camera, laser particle size analyzer, and microscope. Among these, the sieve shaker is commonly used because it is not only cheaper than others but also provides reasonable accuracy. However, it takes a long time and makes lots of dust and noise. In this study, a cheaper and easier method which can replace the sieve shaker is proposed. By using a commercial flat-bed scanner and a darkroom box, the sand size distribution can be analyzed. The darkroom box makes sand images clear and protects the glass of the scanner from being scratched. Comparison between the present method and sieve analysis shows that the present method not only has an accuracy comparable to the sieve analysis but also can save time and effort.