Experimental study on the hydraulic performance and stability of a homogeneous overtopped rubble mound breakwater

Abstract

This work presents an analysis of the hydraulic performance of a rubble mound breakwater by simultaneously considering stability and overtopping. For this purpose, experimental tests have been conducted over a 2D small-scale homogeneous breakwater in a wave flume located at the Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System Research IISTA-CEAMA (University of Granada). Tests have been performed under regular waves in order to give a holistic overview of the phenomena investigated and by highlighting links between overtopping and hydraulic stability and their correlation with multiple variables (energy balance coefficients, geometry of the structure). Moreover, the paper addresses the influence of the dimensionless alternative similarity parameter on the stability and hydraulic behaviour of an overtopped breakwater. Finally, an analysis of the conditions under which the tests were carried out highlights differences between the various techniques. This may mean that the results are not comparable and cannot be extrapolated to other cases. The results of the investigation encourage further progress in reducing the uncertainty associated with the experimental technique.