Impact Assessment of Beach Erosion from Construction of Artificial Coastal Structures Using Parabolic Bay Shape Equation

Wave field changes resulting from artificial coastal structures constructed in coastal zones have emerged as a major cause of beach erosion, among other factors. The rates of erosion along the eastern coast of Korea have varied mainly owing to the construction of various ports and coastal structures; however, impact assessments of these structures on beach erosion have not been appropriately conducted. Thus, in this study, a methodology to assess the impact of erosion owing to the construction of artificial structures has been proposed, for which a parabolic bay shape equation is used in determining the shoreline angle deformation caused by the structures. Assuming that the conditions of sediment or waves have similar values in most coastal areas, a primary variable impacting coastal sediment transport is the deformation of an equilibrium shoreline relative to the existing beach. Therefore, the angle rotation deforming the equilibrium of a shoreline can be the criterion for evaluating beach erosion incurred through the construction of artificial structures. The evaluation criteria are classified into three levels: safety, caution, and danger. If the angle rotation of the equilibrium shoreline is 0.1° or less, the beach distance was considered to be safe in the present study; however, if this angle is 0.35° or higher, the beach distance is considered to be in a state of danger. Furthermore, in this study, the distance affected by beach erosion is calculated in areas of the eastern coast where artificial structures, mainly including ports and power plants, were constructed; thereafter, an impact assessment of the beach erosion around these areas was conducted. Using a proposed methodology, Gungchon Port was evaluated with caution, whereas Donghae Port, Sokcho Port, and Samcheok LNG were evaluated as being in a state of danger.