Equilibrium Shoreline Response to Breakwaters

Abstract

An empirical analysis of the shoreline response to both single and multiple detached breakwaters is presented. In the analysis, equilibrium conditions are assumed. The analysis is based, in part, on previously published experimental data, which are also the basis of a previous study of equilibrium shoreline response to breakwaters. The current analysis differs from the previous analysis in several ways: (1) The effects of wave steepness and beach slope are included; (2) waves are allowed to approach from any direction in deep water; and (3) the effects of segmented breakwaters can be analyzed. Neither analysis includes the effects of grain size. The current analysis can be used to predict the formation of tombolos and salients, and to predict the maximum shoreline retreat or shoreline advance. To demonstrate the utility of the analysis, the shoreline response to the 11‐unit breakwater system at Bay Ridge, Md., is predicted. The predicted and actual shorelines are shown to be in good agreement.