Bayesian optimization and Cartesian-grid simulations for artificial reef design

Coastal erosion threatens communities close to the shore worldwide, and it has become a significant concern in recent years due to increased sea levels and storm frequency driven by global warming. In the search for effective methods to prevent these effects, natural coral reefs have demonstrated comparable wave energy dissipation to artificial defenses while also providing a positive influence on the ocean ecosystem. Therefore, this thesis presents an artificial reef structure with a drag coefficient that is an order of magnitude higher than that of single structures, which positively impacts the ocean ecosystem by providing shelter for marine species. Energy dissipation was maximized using Bayesian optimization in combination with Cartesian-grid simulations and towing tank experiments. To ensure the structure’s strength, ease of implementation, and biocompatibility, the reef structures were designed to be porous. Finally, the complete artificial reef was constructed and tested in a towing tank with waves to assess its energy dissipation capabilities.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Ronglan, Edvard

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Triantafyllou, Michael S.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright retained by author(s)

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/151858

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/151858