Wave-Structure Interactions at Sea Defences Using Numerical Modelling Approaches: A Systematic Literature Review

The design of sea defences must account for the influences caused by the wave runup and wave overtopping, which is becoming critical due to the increasingly severe climate change and associated sea level rises. Traditionally, experimental studies have been widely taken for analyzing the wave runup and wave overtopping of coastal defences, which are then used to develop some empirical formulas for predicting other wave-sea defences interactions. However, given the explosive development of computer technology, recent studies have developed time-efficient, highly repeatable, and economically feasible methods for analyzing wave characteristics. Applying numerical methods in the computational modelling and analysis of wave-sea defences interaction is drawing increasing attention. This paper reviews the standard and promising numerical methods in wave runup, wave impact, pressure, wave load and wave overtopping. The systematic review of 36 articles published between 2002 and 2022 indicates that SPH and OpenFOAM are the most attractive numerical methods in analyzing wave-sea defences interaction. Comparing predictions of wave runup, wave impact, pressure, wave load and wave overtopping using these numerical methods with those from experimental studies or empirical predictions points out the reliability, potential and advantages of numerical methods in these applications. Meanwhile, this review highlights some benefits and deficiencies of these methods and presents potential opportunities for future research.