Vicente Gracia Garcia

Evaluation of transient defence measures against storms

Transient Defence Measures (TDM) are defined as actions that can be taken in advance in the coastal zone in order to reduce the impacts of an specific forecasted storm event. The design of such transient works requires detailed information of the hydrodynamic conditions of forecast events and an assessment of the effect on subsequent beach evolution. In this work, we present an analysis through numerical modelling of the efficiency of transitional dunes and temporary low-crested breakwaters considering the Mediterranean hydrodynamic conditions. The outcomes will serve to design a set of alternatives for mitigation of the coastal risks caused by extreme waves and high sea water levels in European coastal areas.

Natural accretion mechanisms: the role in future coastal sustainability

Although recent research has focused on erosive processes, natural accretion mechanisms have been known for many years, and they can provide an efficient solution to deal with sediment starved coasts. In this paper we shall review natural accretion mechanisms linked to sediment over-wash associated to wave storms in the Spanish Mediterranean. The analysis will encompass general marine flooding in a deltaic coastal fringe, for wide and narrow cross-shore profiles. The analyses will prove the natural capability of dynamic coasts to act in a resilient manner for cases of sediment starvation, such as it is the situation for many deltas and low-lying coasts in developed or developing countries.

Sustainability of artificial coasts: the Barcelona coast case

Coastal Zones: Solutions for the 21st Century bridges the gap between national and international efforts and the local needs for actions in communities where coastal zone challenges are faced daily. The solution-oriented approach covers issues of coastal zone management as well as responses to natural disasters. This work provides ideas on how to face the challenges, develop solutions, and localize management of common-pool resources. Coastal Zones targets academic stakeholders and coastal stakeholders who have local knowledge and experience but need a theoretical framework and a greater range of skills to make use of this experience.

Indicators for Evaluating the Impact of Artificial Islands on the Barcelona Coast

Artificial islands have been constructed next to large cities due to the need for extra space in highly populated areas. These emerged structures have been used by many countries as platforms for developing infrastructure (airports, harbors, highways, etc.), rebuilding ecological areas, and creating new spaces for tourism or residential areas. In this study, two state-of-the-art numerical models for wave propagation and nearshore circulation are used to simulate the effects of an emerged artificial island on the Barcelona coast. Several sea indicators (wave height, intensity and direction of currents, and mean water level) are analyzed to assess the changes likely to be induced by an artificial island. Three different situations are studied and the indicators are compared across the different tests to obtain information that can be used in the planning process of these structures. In two-meter wave conditions, the tests show that wave height is generally reduced in the sheltered area, which leads to improved safety for beach users (bathing is prohibited when wave height exceeds the two-meter threshold). However, the numerical models also reveal that velocities in the sheltered area usually decrease, which must be controlled to prevent stagnation in the bathing area.