Wave Phase Shift at Coastal Structures

Abstract

Wave reflection from coastal structures is defined by the magnitude and phase of the reflected wave. Both properties have a profound impact on the wave kinematics and coastal processes in front of the structure. This paper focuses on the phase shift on reflection. Using a large experimental data set, involving normally incident and obliquely incident regular and irregular waves, it is shown that the phase is uniquely determined by a nondimensional number χ