Run-up on a rubble mound breakwater: comparison of empirical formulae and physical model results

Abstract

The present study focuses on the comparison of measured wave run-up values obtained in physical model tests with those predicted by different empirical formulae. Tests were carried out in a flume for a cross-section of a rubble mound breakwater with an armour layer of tetrapods and rock, and a recurved wave return wall. The model represents the cross-section of the south breakwater of Praia da Vitória harbour (Azores, Portugal) that directly protects quay 12. Two water levels and several incident wave conditions were tested. Empirical runup formulae from Van der Meer & Stam (1992), Pullen et al. (2007) and Bonakdar & Etemad- Shahidi (2011) were applied for the tested conditions and comparisons were made with experimental values of the two percent wave run-up, R2% . Generally, the agreement between predictions and measurements was better for mean low water than for mean high water springs, with all formulae over predicting measurements for the latter.