Shoreline changes behind detached breakwater

A series of experiments were conducted to study shoreline changes caused by the presence of a detached breakwater under the influence of pure wave act ion. The breakwater length, B, and its distance from the initial shoreline, X, were the two main parameters investigated. The study analyzes the effec t of these two factors on shoreline changes. The experimental data show tha t (1) the size of a salient, X-s, increases with B, but decreases with X; a nd (2) the deposition area of the salient, A, increases with both B and X f or X less than or equal to B. However, further increase in X (X > B) will l ead to a reduction in A. Based on the experimental results, the study propo ses a criterion to demarcate the formation of a tombolo from that of a sali ent. The data also show that the width of the tombolo is directly proportio nal to B and inversely proportional to X. Finally, a new relationship for e stimating the sand deposition area is obtained, and published data from me literature are used to verify the new relationship.