Overspilling/overtopping of rubble-mound breakwaters. Results of studies, useful in design procedures

This paper presents an attempt to generalize the results from many series of model tests during which the amount of water overspilling/overtopping the crest of the breakwaters was measured. In one case, also prototype measurements were performed, for comparison between model and prototype measurements. All tests were made with irregular waves reproduced directly from natural wave records. The results are presented in a dimensionless form. The main parameters, which have been varied through the tests, are (1) breakwater type (both pure rubble-mound structures and rubble-mound structures with concrete superstructures have been tested); (2) significant wave height, Hs; (3) wave period (mean wave period, Tz); and (4) wind speed, U. The results presented may be used for preliminary design of similar structures.