Experimental Investigation of Wave Structure Interactions

Abstract

In the present work, physical models have been
built to experimentally investigate the wave structure
interactions. The paper is focusing on the effects of wave
overtopping on wave reflection and wave forces at a seawall. The
tests are implemented in the laboratory of the Coastal
Engineering Research Center, the University of Queensland. The
seawall model testing was performed in a wave flume using
regular waves. Three types of waves that influence the
relationship between wave overtopping and wave force on
seawall are considered; non-breaking waves, waves breaking on
the wall, and broken waves impacting on the wall. In order to
approximate wave reflection from a vertical seawall fronted by a
smooth impermeable slope, the Seelig method is adopted to
estimate the wave reflection coefficients in cases of overtopping.
The unknown coefficients of this approach have been estimated
from fitting of the experimental data obtained in this study. The
resulting formula is applicable for a range of the surf similarity
parameter between 1.0 and 4.5 . The predicted reflection
coefficients exhibit a good level of agreement with those
measured. A power law type expression, written in terms of
dimensionless parameters, is introduced to estimate the wave
forces on a vertical seawall during wave overtopping. The
regression shows good correlation to the data by using this form
of equation.