Wave reflection and wave run-up at rubble mound breakwaters

Abstract

Wave reflection and wave run-up at rubble mound breakwaters with steep front slope were investigated in large scale model tests. The two-way dependency of wave run-up and wave reflection and the governing hydraulic parameters for wave reflection were investigated. The wave run -up height is closely related to the clapotis height in front of the breakwater. An empirical wave run-up formula that includes the reflection coefficient was developed. The wave height has little influence on the wave reflection from porous structures. An empirical wave reflection formula is proposed for rubble mound structures with steep front slope.

Introduction

The wave reflection coefficient is a bulk parameter for the hydraulic processes at a breakwater or coastal structure, i.e. for wave breaking, wave penetration into the structure, wave transmission and wave overtopping. Reflection analysis is mostly performed in order to determine the incident wave conditions in front of the structure. The reflection coefficient is not further used for the interpretation of the hydraulic processes at the structure. The main objective of this paper is (i) investigating the two-way dependency of wave run-up and wave reflection and (ii) determining the governing hydraulic parameters for wave reflection. This study focuses on rubble mound structures with a steep front face (steeper than 1:2) as these structures are especially in deeper water more economical than gently sloping structures. Wave reflection and wave run-up were investigated in hydraulic model tests; experimental results are presented in this paper.

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Wave-Reflection-and-Wave-Run-Up-Muttray_et_al.pdf