King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, Breakwater Stability Study: Hydraulic Model Investigation

Abstract : A hydraulic model investigation of proposed breakwater modifications to King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, was conducted at a geometrically undistorted scale of 1:35, model to prototype. Five breakwater cross sections were each subjected to 15 design wave and water-level conditions. Plans 1 through 3 consisted of variations of armor unit size on the rehabilitation sections. A transition layer of small stones was included in Plans 4 and 5 to reduce wave transmission. Data collected were displaced stones, qualitative overtopping observations, and wave transmission. Plan 5 gave the best combination of stability and reduction of wave transmission. Keywords: Breakwaters; Hydraulic models; Overtopping; Stability; Wave transmission.