STABILITY OF MOUND BREAKWATER'S HEAD AND TRUNK

The stability of a cubic armored breakwater head and trunk under monochromatic wave trains is experimentally studied. The stability function values roughly of 60 degrees, where the unit stability is minimum. The stability function values (similar to Hudson's number) are 1.3-three times higher there than those obtained from biomensional tested sections. Head shape, at least for the cases tested, does no exert significant influence on the head stability. Trunk sections tested under long crested waves with a standing longitudinal wave height variation (here called quasi-three-dimensional (3D) tests) are less stable than two-dimensional (2D) tested sections. Furthermore, trunk and head sections show a different behaviour as the damage grows; the radio of initiation of damage wave height to destruction wave heights is much lower for head than for trunk sections. Head sections are more brittle than trunk sections. Additionally exploration was carried out into standing longitudinal variation of wave height along the breakwater induced by different factors, such as the reflexion of the scattered waves on the lateral boundaries. Data from prototype failures that have occurred in Spain suggest that these wave patterns are worthy of further research.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • J Waterway Port Coastal Ocean Engng, v 117 n 6, Nov/Dec 1991, p 570 [18 p, 21 ref, 5 tab, 11 fig]
• Authors:
  • Vidal, C
  • Losada, M A
  • Medina, R
• Publication Date: 1991

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Breakwaters; Rubble mound breakwaters; Stability (Mechanics)
• Old TRIS Terms: Wave patterns
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00701868
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM