NIT-K to develop resilient breakwater against tsunami

Centre awards research project to National Institute of Technology-Karnataka Surathkal

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has awarded a research project to the National Institute of Technology-Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, to develop new techniques for the protection of coastal area from the devastating impacts of tsunami.

The focus of the particular project is to develop new techniques for the breakwater of New Mangalore Port (NMP) which can make the breakwater resilient against tsunami-induced damage.

The resilient breakwater can block the tsunami in the sea or at least reduce the height of the tsunami waves to a great extent. In this way, tsunami can’t reach the seashore and thus, tsunami-induced damage can be prevented or reduced to a great extent.

Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering in the institute Babloo Chaudhary is the principal investigator of the ₹45 lakh project titled “New resilient breakwater for safety of port and harbour against tsunami”.

Katta Venkataramana, a professor, and G. Sridhar, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, both belong to the department, are co-investigators of the project.

A breakwater is a coastal structure which is built to protect the seashore from the adverse effects of sea waves. The breakwater is constructed in the sea (near the seashore) and it stands on the seabed.

Generally, breakwaters are used for ports and harbours to protect the port from the destructive effects of sea waves. They provide tranquil seawater in the port area. Moreover, breakwaters are also used for the protection of seashore from tsunami.