Chapter 7 Currents and Current Force 7.

1 General (1) The current parameters that shall be used in the design of port and harbor f acilities are the velocity and the direction. The severest conditions shall be set, based on either the fie ld measurements at the installation location of the facilities in question or the numerical estimation. (2) For the current force, consideration shall be given to the drag and lift, de pending on the type of the facilities in question and the structural form. [Commentary] For structures that are located in a place where there is strong currents such a s a tidal currents or river flow, it is necessary to carry out investigations on the forces produced by the currents wit h the largest velocity from the most unfavorable direction. Depending on the type of structures or members, it may al so be necessary to consider the vertical distribution of the current velocity. When waves coexist with currents, it is necessary to use the current velocity and direction in the state of coexistence. Types of currents in the sea area include ocean currents, tidal currents, and wind drift currents, which are described in the [Technical Notes] below, along with density currents caused by the density differences due to salinity or water temperature. In addit ion, in the coastal area, there are longshore currents and rip currents caused by waves. [Technical Notes] (1) Ocean Currents Ocean currents are the phenomenon involving the circulation of seawater around t he ocean as a whole. They are the result of a combination of the following currents: a) density currents that are based on local differences in the density of seawater, b) wind-driven drift currents that are caused by the wind, and c) gradient currents that accompany spatial inequalities in the atmospheric pressure, along with d) compen sation currents (upwelling currents and or sinking currents) that supplement the aforementioned currents. O cean currents maintain the almost steady direction and strength over prolonged periods of time. (2) Tidal Currents (a) The nature and strength of tidal currents vary with the geographical conditi ons of the sea area in question and the celestial movements. In order to analyze the harmonic components of tidal cu rrents, it is necessary to carry out continuous observation for at least 25 hours or advisably for full 15 days. In particular, if the topography of a place is going to be changed considerably, for example when carrying out large -scale land reclamation in shallow coastal waters, it is desirable to examine the resultant changes in tida l currents at the planning stage. (b) The tidal currents are the flow of seawater in the horizontal direction that accompanies a tidal variation of sea level. This variation consists of the tidal components (diurnal tide, semi-diurn al tide, etc.) of the water level and is thus periodic. (3) Wind-Driven Currents When a wind blows over the sea surface, the friction on the boundary between the air and the sea surface produces a shear stress that causes to induce a flow on the sea surface. As this flow develops, the turbulent eddy

viscosity of the seawater causes the lower layers to start to be pulled along by the upper layers. If the wind velocity and direction remain constant for a prolonged period of time, a steady state of currents is eventually reached. Such the currents are referred to as the wind-driven currents. (4) Nearshore Currents In the surf zone, there exist special currents called the nearshore currents ind uced by waves. Because the nearshore currents are induced within the surf zone, they transport suspended se diments and cause topographical change of beaches. Consequently, an understanding of the pattern of nearshore cu rrents leads to a deeper perception of topographical change.