Prototype data analysis of the dynamics of the Venice gate-barriers during an extreme storm event

The MoSE barriers system was designed and constructed at the inlets of the Venice Lagoon (Italy) in order to limit and tame the flooding events in the Lagoon areas and in the City. The success of the design and operation of the system has been demonstrated by the significant reduction in the number and intensity of floods in the lagoon since its beginning of operations in 2020. In this study, we investigate the dynamical behavior of the MoSE system at full-scale by analyzing the barriers behavior during the severe storm event of November 22nd, 2022. In particular, the dynamical response of the Chioggia barrier to waves and storm surge is studied in detail. Spectral analysis of field records, barrier and inlet modal analyses and Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOF) techniques are applied to provide a key for interpreting the actual behavior of such a complex system during a storm event, highlighting dominant frequencies and checking for the occurrence of resonance phenomena. First, a brief review of the experimental and theoretical studies carried out over the past forty years is given. Modal patterns of gates oscillations detected via EOF analysis confirm the presence of the eigenmodes of both the barrier and the inlet; however, the gates oscillations during the considered event are mild and the hydraulic performances of the system are satisfactory for the severe event studied. Further field measurements and future severe events should be studied to reach extended conclusions. • Field records of the MOSE gates’ motions analyzed during a severe event (RP=30 yrs) • Spectral, modal, EOF methods estimate gates and free surface oscillations’ frequencies • Some gates and inlet modal oscillations detected but with limited mode amplifications • Barrier long period oscillations driven by longitudinal and cross modes of the inlet