Pressures on the Crown Wall of Breakwater Formed by New Armor Block KOLOS due to Regular Waves

Abstract

Breakwaters can be broadly classified into overtopping and nonovertopping structures. In the case of a nonovertopping breakwater, either the crest level is designed in consideration with the maximum run-up level or a concrete crown wall is provided at the crest on the ocean side of the breakwater to avoid or minimize overtopping. It is essential to understand the wave-induced dynamic and uplift pressures exerted on the vertical face and base slab of the crown wall to incorporate this information in the design. The recently introduced armor block KOLOS, a modified version of DOLOS, is considered for detailed investigation of its hydrodynamic characteristics. Empirical relations have been proposed for the wave-induced pressures caused by regular waves on the crown wall fronted by KOLOS through a comprehensive experimental program. The overall results, compared with a breakwater fronted by natural rocks, indicate that the KOLOS armor layer offers better wave energy dissipation and results in minimal pressures induced on its crown wall.