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.