Accretion Behind Single Offshore Breakwater

Abstract

The simple case of sand accretion behind an impermeable breakwater parallel to the shoreline with normally incident waves is treated. The cuspate foreland or salient so formed has an apex whose location from the breakwater is dependent upon the ratio of the length of the breakwater to its distance offshore. The waterline shape on each side of the apex can be defined by relationships from crenulate‐shaped bays formed between headlands. Since static equilibrium is assumed these shapes are independent of wave characteristics, sedimentary material used in models, and location of the original breaker line. The intersection of the two adjacent beaches at the centerline as the distance from the breakwater can be used in identifying limits for tombolo formation.