Experimental study on the impact of tsunami-like waves on buildings: The influence of orientation and openings

Tsunamis, impulse waves, and extreme floods are catastrophic events that can result in significant loss of life and cause extensive damage. Understanding the effects of these extreme events on infrastructure is crucial for designing resilient buildings in hazard-prone regions. While most previous studies focused on idealized (frontal) impacts, this study experimentally investigated the combined effect of building orientation and openings on the hydrodynamic loading. Visual observations revealed that rotating the building altered the dynamics of the impact, improving the streamlines and lowering upstream water levels. In terms of loading, building rotation primarily influenced the initial impact phase, delaying and often reducing the peak forces compared to frontal impacts, in line with literature. Openings (e.g. windows, doors) allowed water to flow through the buildings, significantly reducing loads in the streamwise direction. However, for oriented structures, loads in non-streamwise directions become considerable and should be considered in the design process. To address this, simple empirical equations are introduced to predict forces and moments, providing engineers with practical tools to design safer and more resilient coastal infrastructure.