APRÈN. Portal de la producció docent del professorat de la UPC

As the dimensions and energy output of offshore wind turbines continue to expand, so does the size and complexity of their supporting structures. This evolution needs a more refined assessment of hydrodynamic loads, particularly when addressing phenomena associated with infrequent steep wave events, which require a better understanding of unpredictable loads. This research conducts a comprehensive numerical investigation into wave-induced run-up phenomena on offshore wind monopiles, seeking a cost-efficient approach to calculate complex wave-structure interactions. Simulations will be performed using the REEF3D hydrodynamics framework, and the results will be compared with experimental data to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of the approach in predicting wave run-up on monopiles. The overarching goal of this study is to enhance our understanding of the intric ate interactions between ocean waves and offshore wind energy infrastructure. By improving the representation of non-linear waves, wave transformations, and breaking waves in hydrodynamic simulations for bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines, this research aims to contribute to the optimization of structural design and operational considerations for offshore wind monopile installations. Ultimately, this optimization seeks to ensure the development of cost-effective solutions capable of withstanding the complex dynamics of ocean waves.

Floating breakwaters are extensively employed in marinas and small craft facilities globally, primarily in sheltered areas to protect port basins from short-period waves. However, as climate change intensifies along with increased coastal risk, the question arises on how to extend housing and economic activities seaward using large-scale floating systems; not to mention the rapid growth in maritime international trade, which will require more and larger protected spaces in deep water. Floating breakwaters offer advantages over fixed-bottom structures due to their rapid installation, costeffectiveness at increased water depths, enhanced water circulation, less dependence on local soil conditions and climate change adaptation. They also serve as effective temporary storm protection structures. Despite these benefits, floating breakwaters remain ineffective against long-period waves. Research indicates that increasing the breakwater's width enhances wave attenuation, but practical constraints limit the width to manageable dimensions (≤ 10m) for effective dampening of long waves (T > 5s). This study presents experimental findings on innovative floating breakwaters employing various dissipation mechanisms to enhance wave attenuation against both short and long waves. The tested configurations include geometric modifications to traditional box-type breakwaters, movable components, and internal cavities. Notably, two novel concepts are introduced: the wave-return box and a floater inspired by the Tesla valve principle. The analyses encompass the study of wave transmission coefficients, reflection coefficients, dissipation coefficients, mooring forces and motion responses to assess the efficacy of the proposed designs.

This study enhances the model developed by Tambroni and Seminara (2012), originally designed to simulate salt marsh formation and the long-term evolution of channel-marsh systems. We incorporated additional submodules to predict the presence of five macrozoobenthos species in the Venice Lagoon, including simulations for the growth and decay of four virtual vegetation species: Spartina, Sarcocornia, Limonium, and Juncus. The model was further refined to estimate total organic carbon (TOC) production as a result of vegetation decay and root growth. Historical data from 94 stations in the Venice Lagoon were used to calibrate the model, focusing on sediment TOC content and macrozoobenthos presence. The Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) revealed specific TOC thresholds where certain species, such as Heteromorfos filiformis, Abra alba, and Cerastoderma glaucum, dominate. The enhanced model was used to simulate three scenarios over a 140-year period, exploring the effects of sea level rise based on IPCC scenarios SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5, compared to a scenario without sea level rise. Results showed that vegetation could mitigate some impacts of sea level rise, although elevated sea levels inhibited growth. The model successfully predicted the presence of key macrozoobenthos species, but also highlighted areas for further refinement. Future work should incorporate dynamic wind effects and climate change projections to improve sediment transport and TOC estimates. fieldwork in salt marshes in Venice lagoon is recommended to validate the model, particularly to integrate feedback mechanisms between macrozoobenthos and sediment dynamics, and to explore correlations with macrozoobenthos species and biodiversity indices.

This MSc. thesis examines the current process of developing a flood map with the intention to propose a flood map framework for the Region of Liguria. The Region of Liguria is of interest due to its position along the western coast of Italy with multiple low-lying, high-population metropolitan areas, important economic influence, and significant concentration of heritage zones. Due to these factors, the Region of Liguria is of particular interest to worsening climate conditions impacting the offshore environment, more specifically meteorologically driven events such as wave storm events and storm surge. Two historical storm events, the 1955 and 2018 storms which led to significant coastal damage, were selected to develop the framework, accounting for both wave conditions and storm surge elevations. The wave conditions, along with additional data about coastal conditions across the region retrieved from the Regional Geoportal, are employed to estimate run-up elevations that impact the shoreline. The run-up, along with the storm surge values, are used to develop water level maps which in turn allows for the creation of flood maps by comparing against the regional 5x5 m resolution digital elevation model. The final maps generated from the proposed framework provide information regarding to which elevation the floods may influence, along with the probability of flooding for each 5x5 m cell, allowing for more effective reviews of impacts. The framework is designed to support web applications and provide a relatively simple method to apply other conditions to the water levels, such as the inclusion of rising sea levels for future deployment.

Un escull artificial és una estructura submergida col·locada al fons marí que imita les característiques d'un escull natural, com proporcionar hàbitats i refugi per a la vida marina i protegir la línia de costa de les onades i l'erosió. Durant les últimes dècades s'ha observat un interès creixent pels esculls artificials com a sistemes de protecció costanera, així com altres solucions basades en la natura. La tecnologia actual en esculls artificials utilitza formes senzilles a complexes adaptades a les espècies locals, però es veu desafiada per entorns costaners amb condicions específiques, com al canal de la Mànega, a la costa de Normandia. Aquest estudi ha desenvolupat un disseny d'escull artificial adaptat a condicions similars a aquesta ubicació i fa ús d'unitats modulars que són senzilles, cúbiques, poroses i d'auto-col·locació, disposades per formar una macroestructura piramidal estable per atenuar les onades i proporcionar serveis ecosistèmics a llarg termini. L'estudi s'ha centrat en el rendiment hidrodinàmic utilitzant mètriques de transmissió, dissipació i reflexió. S'han realitzat proves amb models físics a escala de Froude 1:10 sobre diferents configuracions formades per aquestes unitats modulars. S'han dut a terme tres etapes de proves: preliminar, inicial i dirigida. Es van utilitzar onades regulars i irregulars, i es van provar un total de cinc configuracions. S'ha observat un bon rendiment hidrodinàmic, on el coeficient de transmissió va assolir un valor d'almenys 0,7 en la majoria dels casos de prova, per a dues configuracions, C3 i C4. Els coeficients de transmissió experimentals es van comparar amb els coeficients de transmissió calculats d'un trencant submergit (permeable) equivalent utilitzant l'equació empírica de d'Angremond et al. (1996) i es va observar un rendiment comparable. La rugositat i els buits d'aquestes configuracions fan que sigui desitjable per a aplicacions ecològiques com a escull artificial. Hi ha potencial per utilitzar aquest disseny d'escull artificial pel seu rendiment hidrodinàmic

Ecosystem services are a group of benefits to human populations that are derived from healthy functioning ecosystems. Increasing coastal urbanization and climate change are negatively impacting local ecosystems and biodiversity. In addition, the proliferation of hard coastal infrastructure has been displacing native marine life. One protected foundation species, Ericaria amentacea, has been in decline. Several restoration efforts have been made (ROC-POP-Life REEForest-Life), but the active recovery of this macroalga is still necessary. A recent project at the University of Genova, Italy aims to improve the ecological value of featureless seawalls by cultivating E. amentacea juveniles on substrata and affixing them to the walls in marine protected areas. However, there have been issues arising due to the incompatibility between seawall and substrata when coupled with hydrodynamic forcing. In this paper, a proof-of-concept experiment is explored through the testing of three cement mixtures that use ecologically friendly materials and fiber reinforcement to begin the process of developing a concrete mixture that can host marine life and has the potential to be upscaled for use constructing coastal infrastructure. The cement mixes contain either silica fume or nano-silica and either glass fiber or polypropylene fiber reinforcement and are designed to be more resistant to seawater and wave action while providing a safe substrate for E. amentacea juveniles to grow on. The cement mixes were subjected to preliminary, specific mechanical testing, and one mix was chosen for alga cultivation before being deployed in the field. Finally, suggestions and recommendations for improvements and further research are discussed.

The use of a simple, inexpensive, and effective type of floating breakwater is increasingly becoming a necessity in shoreline and marine structure protection. This study concerns the hydrodynamic behavior of a new type of free surface inclined porous floating breakwater is for the purpose of wave attenuating in regular and irregular waves, allow the sediment to pass through and to increase the aeration near onshore. The surface will be porous and partially permeable with the purpose of disturbing the flow over the volume as well as creating an aerated turbulence in, and around, the structure. The inclined structure supported by two ballast floating box which uses several configurations of rocks and double cubes units for wave attenuation mechanisms. A series of experiments were carried out on the new floating breakwater model with six different types of porous configuration with different porosity and surface roughness to compare their performances The hydrodynamic effectiveness which is presented as a function of the wave transmission coefficient, reflection coefficient is investigated experimentally. The potential to implement bio enhancing features will be discussed and tested to investigate whether the breakwater can act as an artificial floating reef. The action of 2D regular and irregular waves with wide ranges of wave heights and periods is considered. The motion responses of the floating breakwater with directional mooring line have also been measured. Emphasis is given on the effect of the incident wave characteristics; the inclined angle of the floating breakwater was kept at 15 degrees for all the set of experiments. A two-dimensional wave flume was used in the experiment; the incident and transmitted waves, the tensions on the mooring lines and the motion responses of the floating breakwaters were measured. Results showed that the new floating breakwater had a better performance for mid-level porosity in long and short-wave cases.

This thesis, part of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's Degree in Coastal and Marine Engineering and Management (CoMEM+), focuses on developing a Green and Smart Port Master Plan for the reemployment of Agadir Port in Morocco. The study contrasts traditional port development methodologies with a Green and Smart (G&S) approach, integrating sustainability and advanced technological practices. Utilizing a previous feasibility study from 2018 as a reference, the analysis involves evaluating the port's current state, identifying inefficiencies, and proposing improvements in operational efficiency, climate change mitigation, environmental preservation, and territorial integration. The study develops two scenarios for future port development, emphasizing energy efficiency, and sustainability. A multicriteria analysis is conducted to select the optimal scenario, and a high-level estimation of capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx) is presented for comparison with traditional approaches. The findings aim to provide a replicable methodology for planning Green and Smart Ports.

Coastal regions face increasing threats from climate change-induced hazards, including sea level rise, storm surges, and extreme weather events (Extreme waves). The Ligurian region, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant coastal communities, and economic activities reliant on its marine resources, is particularly vulnerable to these challenges. Understanding and quantifying the risks faced by this region is imperative for informed decision-making and effective coastal management and adaptation strategies. This thesis addresses the gap on a dynamic and societal Coastal Risk Index (CRI) tailored to the Ligurian region, using different modelling techniques and socioeconomic data integration. The CRI comprises four interlinked components: Coastal Hazard Index, Coastal Physical Susceptibility Index, Coastal Socioeconomic Susceptibility Index, and Coastal Economic Damage Index. Each component is aligned with a different set of variables to evaluate its vulnerability in the present and based on the different narratives and climate projections, the future. The Coastal Hazard Index is established based on a Storm Power Index (SPI). The SPI is assembled from a probability distribution of waves, which are generated using theWaveWatch III propagation model enabling high-resolution wave data simulation. The wind-wave climate data used in this study was developed by the MeteOcean Research Group of the University of Genoa. The wind data utilized in this study consists of 10-meter wind fields sourced from various Regional Climate Models (RCMs) provided by EURO-CORDEX. The socioeconomic vulnerability is captured through variables encompassing population density, land use patterns, infrastructure distribution, cultural heritage sites, GDP, and tourism activities, spatially represented using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. Innovatively, by aligning socioeconomic variables with the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP) scenarios, the thesis explores future vulnerability

The world's coral reefs suffer increasing threats due to climate change. Rising sea temperature, changing weather patterns, water acidification and sea level rise cause physical damage and weakening of the reef systems, altering their ecological dynamics. This is especially relevant in the Western Indian Ocean, where coral reefs are the socioeconomical backbone of coastal countries. In this work, machine-learning models will be used to forecast coral reef conditions under future Climate Change scenarios to provide valuable insights for conservation efforts and policy formulation.