Abstract:
A considerable number of studies of wave overtopping at maritime structures are
carried out in Portugal almost on a daily basis, mainly by consultants or within the
scope of research contracts, both national and European. They cover overtopping
evaluation for design of new structures, for assessment of the safety of existing defences,
for risk assessment and for warning systems. This paper provides an
overview of the Portuguese experience in undertaking these studies, including perspectives
from consultants and researchers. It presents the methodologies and tools
applied for overtopping evaluation, including empirical formulations, neural network
analysis and both numerical and physical modelling. Their application is illustrated
by different case studies and existing drawbacks are pointed out. It also mentions
the overtopping field campaigns that will be carried out for the first time in Portugal
during 2012, at Albufeira harbour, in the Algarve. Finally, it explains the main research
topics and developments to be performed in the near future on wave overtopping,
in Portugal.
