Probabilistic Analysis of Coastal Levee Erosion Using Excess Loading in a Response-Based Framework

Abstract Risk-informed design is typically used for coastal levee projects, which integrate hazards, performance, and consequences. Presently, U.S. practice uses a relationship between overtopping discharge rates and erosion in order to evaluate and design coastal levees. However, excess loading concepts may better characterize physical processes during an erosional event. Herein, high-fidelity modeling and response-based probabilistic methods are combined with an excess loading approach to define levee crest elevations. These response-based methods maintain high statistical and physical fidelities and incorporate uncertainties. An example analysis is used to compare the probabilistic results from overtopping discharge rates and excess loading methods.