In the present work, physical models have beenbuilt to experimentally investigate the wave structureinteractions. The paper is focusing on the effects of waveovertopping on wave reflection and wave forces at a seawall. Thetests are implemented in the laboratory of the CoastalEngineering Research Center, the University of Queensland. Theseawall model testing was performed in a wave flume usingregular waves. Three types of waves that influence therelationship between wave overtopping and wave force onseawall are considered; non-breaking waves, waves breaking onthe wall, and broken waves impacting on the wall. In order toapproximate wave reflection from a vertical seawall fronted by asmooth impermeable slope, the Seelig method is adopted toestimate the wave reflection coefficients in cases of overtopping.The unknown coefficients of this approach have been estimatedfrom fitting of the experimental data obtained in this study. Theresulting formula is applicable for a range of the surf similarityparameter between 1.0 and 4.5 . The predicted reflectioncoefficients exhibit a good level of agreement with thosemeasured. A power law type expression, written in terms ofdimensionless parameters, is introduced to estimate the waveforces on a vertical seawall during wave overtopping. Theregression shows good correlation to the data by using this formof equation.
In the present work, physical models have beenbuilt to experimentally investigate the wave structureinteractions. The paper is focusing on the effects of waveovertopping on wave reflection and wave forces at a seawall. Thetests are implemented in the laboratory of the CoastalEngineering Research Center, the University of Queensland. Theseawall model testing was performed in a wave flume usingregular waves. Three types of waves that influence therelationship between wave overtopping and wave force onseawall are considered; non-breaking waves, waves breaking onthe wall, and broken waves impacting on the wall. In order toapproximate wave reflection from a vertical seawall fronted by asmooth impermeable slope, the Seelig method is adopted toestimate the wave reflection coefficients in cases of overtopping.The unknown coefficients of this approach have been estimatedfrom fitting of the experimental data obtained in this study. Theresulting formula is applicable for a range of the surf similarityparameter between 1.0 and 4.5 . The predicted reflectioncoefficients exhibit a good level of agreement with thosemeasured. A power law type expression, written in terms ofdimensionless parameters, is introduced to estimate the waveforces on a vertical seawall during wave overtopping. Theregression shows good correlation to the data by using this formof equation.