DETACHED BREAKWATERS PROTECT LARGE MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM SEVERE STORMS

Abstract

The port of Richards Bay in south Africa is constantly being subjected to extreme storm events where recorded wave heights exceed 5 m. Over the last decade, these storms have caused significant damage to the port’s breakwater structures, especially to the main southern breakwater. The frequency and intensity of large storms are increasing, and therefore much needed repairs to the aging infrastructure are becoming more frequent. As part of a campaign to enhance the structural integrity of the breakwaters at Richards Bay, the CSIR was contracted to undertake a 3D physical model study, which was completed in 2019. Subsequent to the 2019 study, the CSIR initiated a study to investigate alternative solutions that could potentially be implemented to safeguard marine infrastructure similar to the main breakwater at Richards Bay. This study focused on a submerged detached breakwater constructed in front of the existing main breakwater to shelter it from extreme storm events.