Wave forces on vertical and composite breakwaters

Abstract

This report gives information on wave loadings on vertical and composite breakwaters and related harbour or coastal structures. The report reviews types of vertical breakwaters used around the UK, in Europe and further overseas, and identifies design methods in use in the UK, Europe and Japan. Analysis of performance in service, and of research studies, shows that present design methods under predict wave loads under wave impact conditions, and are not able to identify reliably geometric/wave conditions which lead to such impacts.