Simple Wave Breaking Depth Index Formula for Regular Waves

Abstract

A simple formula to determine the wave breaking depth index for regular waves is proposed. In the literature, there are several formulas for determining the breaker depth index, which, over the years, have gradually evolved by improving advanced measurement tools. The proposed formula has been obtained by means of dimensional analysis and incomplete self-similarity, and it has been calibrated and verified by using a large breaker depth index database yield fairing good predictions for a wide range of wave conditions and beach slopes. The application of some existing formulas for determining the breaker depth index has been examined by using previous published laboratory data compared with the new formula.