WATER WAVE PRESSURES ON SEAWALLS AND BREAKWATERS

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)

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Waterways Experiment Station

  3909 Halls Ferry Road
  Vicksburg, MS  United States  39180-6199
• Authors:
  • Kamel, Adel M
• Publication Date: 1968-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 52 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Breakwaters; Coefficients; Loads; Reflection; Water waves; Waves
• Old TRIS Terms: Wave induced loads; Wave reflection coefficient
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00015072
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Defense Documentation Center
• Report/Paper Numbers: AEWES-RR-2-10
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 7 1971 12:00AM