Abstract

Ship-generated waves have a significant impact on bank erosion, especially in areas with frequent ship traffic. These waves typically carry more energy than wind-generated waves and can cause considerable slope instability and erosion along riverbanks. In this study, the PLAXIS 2D finite element model was used to evaluate the effects of ship waves, specifically upwash and backwash waves, on the horizontal displacement and safety factor of riverbank slopes with varying inclinations. The results indicate that backwash waves cause significantly greater horizontal displacement than upwash waves, primarily due to the outward-directed soil pulling force. When the slope exceeds 25°, horizontal displacement increases rapidly, reaching levels that may lead to tensile cracking and reduced stability. In contrast, for slopes of 25° or less, the safety factor consistently remains above the critical threshold of 1.4, ensuring structural stability. The study observes that riverbank slopes of 25° or less generally maintain stability under the influence of ship-generated waves. In contrast, steeper slopes exhibit higher susceptibility to instability, indicating that protective measures may be necessary in those areas.