Wave interaction with an upright breakwater structure

Breakwaters are often built in coastal waters to facilitate navigation and recreation, both inside and outside regions of the breakwater. This require s that the reflection and transmission characteristics of the structure be both minimized at the same time. This is achieved by a design that will all ow dissipation of wave energy by multiple reflection. Such structures will need the knowledge of these characteristics in their design. Model tests we re performed on a shallow water breakwater concept of this type to determin e the reflection and transmission coefficients. The concept of the breakwat er was to reduce both the reflection and transmission of waves. It was foun d that the breakwater design was effective at certain wave characteristics. Nondimensional loads and local pressures on the breakwater panels are also reported which will facilitate the structural design of such breakwaters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.