Mornington Pier 2D Physical Model
Client: Parks Victoria/GHD Melbourne
Year: 2010
Project Reference: 09073
Mornington Pier, located on the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay was first constructed in the 1850’s and has since undergone a number of upgrades and extensions. During large wave events the structure is presently overtopped and has suffered damage. Parks Victoria propose to upgrade Mornington Pier by reducing wave overtopping and transmission to improve public safety and provide a new safe harbour behind the Pier during storm events.
WRL were engaged to undertake 2D physical modelling of several complex wave-structure interactions including:
- Wave forces exerted on the wave panel fronting the jetty structure
- Wave transmission through the structure including flows through rock armour and below solid wave panels
- Wave overtopping including the effects of wind and several deflector shapes
- Armour stability
Results of testing allowed several improvements to the initial desktop-based design and cost-savings to the end client. Possible design weaknesses were able to be identified and amended.
The effect of wind on wave overtopping using several differing wave deflectors was also investigated. Onshore winds were shown to increase overtopping flows, in some cases to levels deemed dangerous to human safety. Using these results, an optimal deflector shape was identified to minimise risk to human safety in all but the most extreme storm conditions.
Overtopping flows for a 1 year ARI wave event using four different wave deflectors
Such complex processes including wave-wave interactions during breaking, flow through armour units and wind-affected wave overtopping cannot presently be assessed by empirical, theoretical or numerical methods and, as such, physical modelling remains the most accurate and cost-efficient design tool.
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