Life-Cycle Analysis of Mid Bay and Poplar Island Projects, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Abstract
This report summarizes the life-cycle design and optimization of structures on three islands in Chesapeake Bay. The islands are Poplar, James, and Barren. The life-cycle analysis is accomplished using a new method termed Empirical Life-Cycle Simulation (ELS). The historical storms selected for simulation include both winter storms (extratropical storms) and hurricanes (tropical storms). Historical water levels due to the combined effect of historical storms and astronomical tides are simulated using a numerical model of the entire Chesapeake Bay. A localized wind-wave growth model is used to hindcast historical waves. The waves are transformed to a number of analysis stations around each island using a separate numerical model. For each analysis location, 148-year time histories of waves and water levels at 3-hour intervals are produced for use in the life-cycle analysis phase of the study. A new empirical time series simulation method for waves and water levels is proposed so that the effects of potential future wave and water level climate can be analyzed. Finally, analysis of storm maximum and external analysis of waves and water levels is described for each island. The results of the wave and water level analyses and simulations described above are used to optimize the structure cross sections over the life cycle. Least-cost structural alternatives that also minimize maintenance requirements are proposed based on these investigations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA438863
Entities
People
- Edward F. Thompson
- Jane Mc Kee Smith
- Jeffrey A. Melby
- Jeffrey L. Hanson
- Leon E. Borgman
- Lihwa Lin
- Mary A. Cialone
- Zeki Demirbilek
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center