WATER WAVE PRESSURES ON SEAWALLS AND BREAKWATERS.

Abstract

Several analytical and experimental studies on the highest gravity water wave that can be reflected by a structure, the highest progressive wave in shallow water, and the highest wave that will break on a structure were analyzed. This resulted in diagrams for the selection of the design wave reflected by or breaking on a structure. It was found that the height of the design wave depends on the characteristics of the deepwater wave, the wave reflection coefficient of the structure, the water depth at the structure, and the bottom slope and depth contours seaward of the structure. For the wave reflection coefficients of seawalls and breakwaters, experimental data available were analyzed, and an analytical approach is presented. This analysis resulted in diagrams for the determination of the wave reflection coefficient, which was found to be a function of the wave steepness, the relative depth of water in front of the structure, the angle of wave approach to the structure, and the shape, slope, roughness, and permeability of the structure. Equations, developed to the second order of approximation, for calculating the wave pressures on seawalls and breakwaters caused by waves reflected by the structure are presented. The equations take into account the wave reflection coefficient, thus enabling the design engineer to calculate the wave pressures for totally as well as partially reflected waves. An example illustrating the method of selecting the design wave and calculating the wave pressures is presented. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0667354

Entities

People

  • Adel M. Kamel

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Breakwaters
  • Coefficients
  • Engineers
  • Equations
  • Experimental Data
  • Permeability
  • Reflection
  • Roughness
  • Shallow Water
  • Water
  • Water Waves
  • Waves

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Regression Analysis.