Numerical and Experimental Simulation of Two-Phase Tsunami Flow Through Buildings with Openings

During tsunami action on a structure, the structure is subjected to heavy loads with complex phenomena which include the interactions among tsunami, structure and air. In order to mitigate tsunami damages on structures, it is important to understand the characteristics of tsunami hydraulic loads acting on the structures with taking into account the above interactions. In the present study, the characteristics of tsunami forces on a building structure are investigated using a two-phase flow model. Two types of building models, a building without openings and with openings, were dealt with; and the effects of openings on the building under the tsunami hydraulic loads are examined. The simulation results were compared with the results obtained from one-phase flow simulation, and also verified with experimental data. The numerical results show good agreement with the measured ones. Furthermore, the effects of air taken into the flow and opening configuration on the characteristics of pressures and uplift forces were also discussed.