ROCK SLOPE STABILITY with SHALLOW FORESHORES

Abstract

The stability of rock slopes subject to breaking waves over a shallow foreshore is addressed in this paper. Physical model tests have been conducted on a 1:100 foreshore slope with a wide range of wave conditions including single and double peaked spectra and severely breaking wave conditions. The measured damage levels are compared to the Van der Meer design formulae, which were developed for conditions with no breaking on the foreshore. It has been found that the results of the design formulae are sensitive to the choice of input parameters (H1/3 or Hm0 and Tm or Tm-1,0) and that the inclusion of the reduction factor for breaking waves (H2%/Hs) in the design formulae should be applied only with caution, depending on the choice of input parameters. These results apply for the conditions tested and should be verified for other foreshore configurations before a definite recommendation pertaining to the use of the Van der Meer formulae for shallow foreshores can be given.