Technique developed for Hilo Harbor has potential application in other locations across the world
As one of two commercial harbors serving Hawai’i Island, Hilo Harbor is crucial for the U.S. Coast Guard, cruise ships, and barging and shipping companies as well as an essential piece of infrastructure for residents. To help preserve the harbor’s functionality under changing climate conditions, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District engaged us as part of the team to model maintenance and repair strategies for the harbor’s infrastructure to meet future rising sea level conditions.
Our team generated high resolution 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models using supercomputing resources under the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) High Performance Computing Modernization Program, particularly one of the five Engineer Research and Development Center DoD Supercomputing Resource Centers. We then used the CFD modeling results to assess past, present, and future performance under rising sea-level based wave conditions and to identify zones in the breakwater of potentially threatened stability. Additionally, the team used multiple wave modeling simulations to help inform the effectiveness of designs for repairs and maintenance.
With the incorporation of these high-resolution data driven sea level rise projections, using multiple scenarios of wave strength and water height, USACE can more accurately assess conditions to inform planning to reduce impacts and evaluate structure stability not just in Hilo Harbor but in other locations across the world.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- USACE Honolulu
- HI for Hawaii Department of
- Transportation, Harbors Division
- Partners
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- Sea Engineering
- Award
- ASCE Hawaii Best Studies and Research Project award winner 2023
Ben Berridge, Senior Associate, Environmental Services
I’m grateful to work alongside such an exceptional team dedicated to improving our environment and community.
Michele Lefebvre, Project Manager, Environmental Scientist
As environmental scientists, we have a unique role in our communities to balance the needs of development with environmental stewardship.
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