A study of wave reflection based on the maximum wave momentum flux approach

ABSTRACT

Based on the maximum wave momentum flux approach (MFA) originally proposed by Hughes, simple predictive equations for the reflection coefficient of sloping coastal structures have been developed. The design tools permit either estimating the “bulk” reflection coefficient or reconstructing the entire reflected wave spectrum. A comparison with nearly 1,600 results of physical model studies carried out in different laboratories around the world indicated the new method to be rather effective, especially in the case of permeable structures.

KEYWORDS:

• Wave reflection
• wave momentum flux
• down-rush
• structural permeability
• Iribarren number
• physical modeling

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Prof. Barbara Zanuttigh (University of Bologna, Italy), Dr. Steven A. Hughes (CERC, USA) and Dr. Markus Muttray (Delta Marine Consulting, the Netherlands) for providing part of the data employed in this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.