HAVE IMPACT PRESSURES ON COMPOSITE BREAKWATERS

Wave impact pressures and forces on composite breakwaters have been measured in the laboratory. A solid wall breakwater and a perforated breakwater were instrumented with small pressure transducers in a study designed to estimate the relative effectiveness of perforated breakwaters in reducing impact loads caused by breaking waves. Experimental results of maximum pressures and forces measured on the breakwater walls are presented as cumulative probability distributions. It is concluded that the perforated breakwater experiences significantly lower breaking wave loads although local impact pressures may be as high as those measured on the solid wall breakwater. Further studies are required on the perforated breakwater and alternative designs to determine the most suitable caisson type for the reduction of wave impact forces.