Run-up and run-down regimes on impermeable and steep slopes

Abstract

In the present work, swash oscillations on steep, plane, impermeable slopes in a wave flume under regular wave trains studied. The overall objective of this paper is to assess the limitation of laboratory-based run-up/run-down formulas regarding; (1) the experimental design and setup; (2) the wave input at the toe of the slope; and eventually (3) the forcing and resonance of long waves, edge wave growth and radiation. Furthermore, we discuss whether those formulas are applicable to natural and man-made flow characteristics and energy transformation conditions of regular wave trains. To achieve this purpose, extensive lab experiments were carried out in the Canal Interacción Atmósfera-Océano (CIAO) wave flume on three steep slopes with ratios of 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10. It is concluded that the experimental technique, including the resonance effects and the range of breakers tested affect the validity of the actual design formulas. Moreover, it is demonstrated the dependence of run-up and run-down on the wave steepness, relative water depth and slope angle and the possibility of embodying their effects.