DYNAMIC PRESSURES AND RUN-UP ON SEMICIRCULAR BREAKWATERS DUE TO RANDOM WAVES

The dynamic pressures due to random waves of predefined spectral chara cteristics exerted on a semicircular breakwater model at five differen t elevations along the depth are measured. In addition, the wave run-u p on the model and its reflection characteristics are measured. The re sults on the variation of the frequency pressure spectra along the dep th and the run-up spectra are reported in this paper. The average spec tral characteristics as well as statistical properties of the above tw o parameters are presented. The average reflection coefficient is repo rted as a function of the wave steepness, described as the ratio of th e significant wave height to the square of the peak period. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science Ltd.