GENERATION AND PROPAGATION OF TSUNAMI-LIKE BORES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PRODUCED INUNDATION

Abstract

This thesis presents experimental, theoretical and numerical investigations of the generation, propagation and inundation of tsunami-like bores with the objective of understanding the flooding processes of tsunamis in coastal areas. Three approaches have been employed for the generation of bores in the laboratory: a dam-break system, a long-stroke wavemaker and the combination of both. The propagation and inundation produced by bores is analysed and compared with analytical solutions based on the method of characteristics. New predictive formulae for the runup height, inundation water depth and flooding duration are calculated based on numerical simulations. In addition, detailed flow velocity and turbulence measurements in the constant depth and swash regions, measured employing a HSPIV system, are presented. Finally, the generation of non-uniform bores by combining both systems is explored, which shows potential for the generation of singular events which present multiple tsunami-waves.