This research examines how wave pressure affects the long-term stability of coastal rocky slopes, revealing that flatter slopes experience higher wave-induced stress, which accelerates erosion and increases landslide risks.
Coastal cliffs are breathtaking natural wonders, but beneath their beauty lies a hidden danger: the slow yet relentless impact of waves, tides, and even earthquakes that can weaken rocky slopes over time. As waves pound against these structures, they exert powerful forces that could eventually lead to catastrophic landslides. This is a major concern for coastal infrastructure, tourism hotspots, and marine ecosystems.
A recent study explores how wave pressure affects the long-term stability of coastal rocky slopes, offering new insights into how these formations weaken over time. Let’s break it down! 🏗️⚖️
Coastal slopes are constantly under attack by dynamic forces such as:
Over time, these forces lead to the slow deterioration of weak rock structures. The study found that specific geological features—such as bedding planes and fractures—make some slopes more vulnerable than others.
To understand these effects, researchers built a geological model of coastal slopes and used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to simulate wave interactions. The results showed that:
In simple terms: flatter coastal slopes take a bigger hit from waves, making them more likely to collapse over time!
To calculate the stability of coastal slopes, researchers applied the limit equilibrium method, a technique widely used in geotechnical engineering. They also accounted for the effects of strain-softening, a phenomenon where rock materials lose strength due to repeated stress.
Here’s how stability is assessed:
A key takeaway? If wave pressure continuously weakens a slope's shear strength, a landslide is just a matter of time.
What can be done to protect coastal cliffs and communities?
Reinforcement Engineering: Installing protective barriers or using retaining structures can help slow down erosion.
Smart Coastal Planning: Avoiding construction near vulnerable cliffs can prevent damage before it happens.
Wave Energy Dissipation: Artificial reefs and submerged barriers can absorb wave energy before it reaches the shore.
Monitoring & Early Warning Systems: Advanced sensors and AI models can predict when a slope is becoming unstable.
With the right engineering approaches, we can mitigate landslide risks and protect both nature and human development.
Wave Pressure – The force exerted by ocean waves as they crash against surfaces, gradually wearing them down.
Coastal Rocky Slopes – Steep landforms made of rock that border the ocean, constantly shaped by waves, wind, and tides.
Erosion – The gradual wearing away of rock and soil due to natural forces like wind, water, and waves.
Shear Stress – A force that causes materials (like rock layers) to slide past each other, leading to cracks or collapse.
Strain-Softening – A weakening process where rock or soil loses strength over time due to repeated stress.
Factor of Safety (FOS) – A number used in engineering to measure how stable a structure (like a cliff) is before it fails.
Limit Equilibrium Method – A calculation method engineers use to predict when a slope might become unstable and collapse.
Sun, M.; Shan, Z.; Wu, H.; Liu, Q.; Wang, J. Long-Term Stability Evaluation Method of Coastal Rocky Slope Considering Wave Loading. Water 2025, 17, 637. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17050637
From: PowerChina Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited; China University of Geosciences.
