Scientific examination of the effectiveness of wood piles as a countermeasure for coastal protection and disaster mitigation

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K04964
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 25030:Disaster prevention engineering-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Takagi Hiroshi 東京工業大学, 環境・社会理工学院, 教授 (40619847)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 木杭消波工 / グリーンインフラ / 沿岸域防災

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study focused on wooden piles which are often used as a simple coastal protection measure in developing countries, and conducted various experiments to verify their effectiveness. The finding of past surveys conducted in Phan Thiet, Vietnam, was helpful to conduct detailed numerical analysis and dam-break experiments reproducing the local wooden piles. The research results were published in several international journals. For example, the results on the wave run-up mitigation and coastal erosion reduction effects of wooden piles were published in the Journal of Coastal Conservation, the dam-break experiments were conducted and a detailed analysis of the factors causing the statistical variation of the wave pressure was published in the Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, and the journal of Nature-based Solution on the effects of wave action and tide level during a recent typhoon in very shallow water areas where wooden piles are often used.

Free Research Field

沿岸域防災

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

木杭による対策は砂浜を固定化しないため，自然な漂砂運動を阻害せず，水質面での環境負荷や生態系への影響も小さいと考えられる。またローカル材料を活用すれば，地域の産業育成にも貢献できる。コンクリート護岸よりも安価に設置でき，施工も容易なため，効果が検証されるとともに，より合理的・効果的な設置方法が確立されれば，科学・工学と途上国の経験が融合した海岸保全工法につながると期待できる。本研究の成果を端緒とし，今後さらに効率的・効果的な環境調和型次世代木杭消波工を目指し研究を続け，その合理的な設計手法についても提案していきたい。