Hydro-geotechnical stability of rubble mound breakwaters under wave action

Hydro-geotechnical stability of rubble mounds is investigated by means of experimental tests, CFD and FE geotechnical models. Laboratory tests were conducted to investigate flow motion and time-varying pore pressure distribution within a rubble mound breakwater. Data have been used to test the performances of the commercial CFD tool CFX. Experimental and numerical data on flows / pressures can be coupled with FE geotechnical models to assess liquefaction likelihood and mechanisms of failure of foundation soil of rubble mounds under cyclic wave motion.