Vol. & No. 2
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
THE
BULLETIN
WOODS HOLE
OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
OF THE APR 17 1659
WOODS HOLE, Mass.
BEACH EROSION BOARD
OFFICE, CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
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DEPARTMENT OF THR ARMY
CORPS OF ENGINEERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Laboratory Study of An Electromagnetic Current Meter ....
Progress Reports on Research Contracts ...sccocccvececcee
Beach Erosion Studies @eeeesseeooeeeceeeeeoenesceeaoneeaeooeed
HOMO UH MUNN
VOL. 6
April 1, 1952
Page
23
Al
NO.
BEFBCLIVe HEIGHT OF SEAWALLS
by
Kenneth Kaplan
Engineering Division
Beach H#rosion Board
CONTENTS PAGE
Ils. | Mentaoolbictaoia Sonne ono oc a aks oa : SICA CUDNY Oa SCS oS 1
II. factors Involved in Water Depth Tanke faens ata
Seamvalilies.. avis were Ree A, crane het ect MjEtTr ete ahe aoa c Sem Ate ae ages 2
TIL. Criterion for Total EP tactivendect of Yeawalls. Soren ie 3)
TV. Seawall in the Breaker Zone..... Fey Se EO eC 4
General (Wave Attack)
Height of Seawall to be Totally #ffective
Comparztive Effectiveness of Low Seawalls
V, Seawsll Seaward of the 3reaker Zone ..... eiokenetinli scx Santeeancuegs 9
General (Wave Attack)
Heicht of Seawall to be Fully #ffective
Compnrative Effectiveness of Low Seawalls
VI. Seawall Shoreward of the Breaker Zone ..... CKD. 6 CIOS 1)
Discussion
Uist. MOUMIMAT YE 2 sc .weus ake +6 » wsenabelaus cenaisel ee aenpeinas ol sRimisicie siaiai eae ceed AEE 15
VIII. An Actual Case - - - - - — - Galveston, Texas ......... 16
BEDIDPOSVA PHY LG es « + ela Sih de oe Peseta cVareee etary witen'a etetereneret suert a) via, erevente 1.6
I. Introduction
Both seawalls and bulkheads are structures placed parallel or
nearly varallel to a shore line, generally separating a land area from
a water area. The term seawall is used in this report since criteria
for structural design of the two are essentially the same, although the
structvres differ functionally. Functionally a bulkhead is a structure
whose primary purpose is to support the land behind it while separating
this land from the water. A seawall's primary purpose is to protect the
land area from erosion or damage due to wave action.
Though seawalls are one of the most frequently used, as well as one
of the oldest means of coastal protection, their design has been dictated
uw
mainly by structural considerations. No general criteria have been es-
tablished for determining their potential effectiveness in protecting
the land behind them. -
This report will deal with the determination of the efficiency of
vertical face and curved re-entrant face seawalls in turning back
damaging wave action. The results should not be applied to stepped
face or sloping face walls. The controlling factor in this problem is
the type of wave attack expected at the structure, which may be de-
termined by observational data or if these are not available, by making
use of hindcasting techniques; establishing, from historical weather
charts, a deep water design wave; and with that, a design wave at the
structure. Because the placement of a seawall is ordinarily determined
by terrain or economic considerations, water depths and beach slopes at
and before the wall's position will almost always be known. With these,
wave characteristics at the structure my be determined through con-
struction of refraction diagrams and the application of pertinent sections
of this report.
The remainder of this report is divided into seven sections:
Section II deals with the types of water level fluctuation
which may be expected at a seawall's location.
Section III establishes a criterion for a seawall to be totally
effective in turning back damaging waves.
In Sections IV and V, the two problems of seawalls located in
and seaward of the breaker zone are discussed. Each of these sections
is divided into three parts; a general discussion of the means of de-
termining wave characteristics at the wall if only deep water wave
characteristics are known (though the construction and interpretation
of refraction diagrams is not discussed): a determination of the height
of wall which will be totally effective in terms of the height of an
impinging wave; and a determination of the relative effectiveness of
lower walls.
Section VI is a discussion of the problem of a seawall shore-
ward of the breaker zone.
Section VII is a summary of Sections IV, V, and VI.
Section VIII applies some of these results to an actual case.
It. Factors Involved in Water Depth Variations at a Seawall
As noted previously, if observational data are not sufficient, wave
characteristics at a seawall's locations will have to be determined from
deep water design waves through use of refraction diagrams. Construction
of these, their interpretation, and ultimately, the type of wave attack
2
at the wall's position, are all dependent on a knowledge of water
depths at and before the wall. Therefore in this section we will dis-
cuss the mjor phenomena which may lead to a change of water depth; a
seiche, a gravitational tide, a storm tide, and bottom scour.
A seiche consists of a periodic oscillation of water over any
water area, determined by the inherent natural period of oscillation of
the body of water. Seiches have been known to attain the heights of 6
feet in Lake Geneva,(1) and 15 feet in Lake Erie.(2) The causal
phenomena may be wind, pressure difference over the water surface or
even a gravitational tide.
Gravitational tides, caused by the attraction of sun and moon and
by the earth's rotation, are the most familiar changes in water level,
since all coasts and some lake shores experience them daily. The range
of tide depends on local hydrographic features, and my vary from about
2 feet at points in the Gulf of Mexico to some 35 feet at Dutch Harbor,
Alaska.
In many locations, the most important water level fluctuation to
be dealt with is the so-called storm tide. When a severe storm strikes
a coastal area, high winds accompanying the storm cause "pile-up" of
water along the shore. Due to this, in narrowing inlets and bays, the
water level may rise 15 to 30 feet. Though the range of the daily
gravitational tide may be as large as that of a storm tide, the latter
is unpredictable, and if in phase with the former, may well cause a
water depth increase very much larger than that due to the local
gravitational tide. For example, Galveston, Texas, where the normal
height of high tide is less than 2 feet (MLW) experienced hurricanes which
in 1900 caused a high of 15 feet (MLW) and in 1915 a high of 12.5 feet
(MLW) (3). A hurricane in 1938 caused high water elevations as great as
14.7 feet (MLW) at certain points along the Massachusetts noast(Gae A
storm on 5 October 1564 raised the water level at Caleutta 24 feet(1),
It should be noted that the danger of a starm tide lies not only in
its range, which my or may not be excessive, but also in that, by its
nature being caused by strong winds, the rise in water level is always
accompanied by severe wave action.
A seawall is often located in an area of erosion for the purpose
of preventing further loss of land landward of the wall's position.
However the area's tendency toward erosion my continue to manifest it-
self by scouring the beach before the wall. Therefore, though water
level fluctuation at a particular locale may be minor, depths tefore
a wall may still increase,
III. Criterion for Total Effectiveness of Seawalls
Rough measures are available for the determination of the effective-
ness under wave attack of seawalls whose crests: are even with or below
3
the maximum water level expected at the wall's location. It is necessary
however, to establish a criterion for a seawall to be totally effective
when undergoing wave attack. The standard which will be followed is this:
A seawall can be considered totally effective if its height is
sufficient to prevent any solid water from passing over the wall with
damaging horizontal momentum. This criterion will be considered satis—
fied if the height of the wall is equal to or greater than the height
of an impinging wave.
It is ordinarily economically infeasible to design a wall high
enough to prevent any overtopping under all wave conditions. However
' the primary purpose of a seawall is to prevent damage to the land or
structures behind, and this damage will be caused by that water which
overtops the wall with an appreciable horizontal momentum.
A seawall whose crest height is equal to or greater than that of the
crest of an impinging wave will cause the wave to run up and overtop the
wall. The amount of this overtopping is dependent on the shape of the
wall, and on the characteristics of the waves at the wall. (e.g. the
“ojapotis" formed by a non-breaking wave at a vertical barrier). However
the momentum of this water thus thrown above the wall will have been
changed from a nearly horizontal one to one (depending on the wall shape)
nearly vertical, and since the horizontal momentum is reduced consider- .
ably, the damaging power of the wave is similarly reduced.
It is true that the damaging effect of water falling in the
immediate vicinity of the wall must be considered in the structural design
of the wall itself, and of the embankment behind, which must be provided
with pavement and drainage. Damage to the wall will reduce its effective
protection of the land behind, but the prevention of this damage is a
problem of structural design. It is not a consideration in determining
the effective height of the wall.
IV. Maximum.Conditions (Seawall in the Breaker Zone)
General -— As the preceding discussion indicated, water depth at a
structure may be so highly variable, especially under storm conditions,
that it would be impossible to locate a structure outside the range of
damaging wave action. It would be well therefore to discuss the effective-
ness of a seawall under extreme wave conditions, that is when the wall is
so placed that the impinging wave will be of maximum size. J. Larras
has found that "When for a given swell, one set up the vertical wall at
various points of the terminal slope, the position of the wall for which
the breakers become most violent coincides with the position of the
rollers on the same slope in the absence of the vertical wall. In other
words, the waves break against walls in the same depths as they do upon
alopes, ....." (4) (5).
If we can determine the characteristics of a breaking wave and the
depth in which a wave may break in the absence of a wall, we can
ve
determine within broad limits, the effectiveness of a wall in repelling
these waves.
The theoretical attack (by Munk) (6) on the problem of breakers
has concentrated on the analogies between an oscillatory wave near
breaking and a so-called solitary wave. "The application of the solitary
wave theory was suggested...by an obvious resemblence between the
theoretically derived wave profile and the observed profile in the region
just outside the breaker zone." Actually, a solitary wave is a single
plus whose length is infinite. However, most of its energy is concentra-_
ed about the crest, and in this manner resembles an oscillatory wave
about to break. The assumption here, is that a breaking oscillatory wave
is independent of following or preceding waves, Its wave length in the
breaker zone is not a determining parameter for the wave's character-—
istics. There are two relations of importance derived from the applica-
tion of solitary wave theory to oscillatory waves of finite length;
that the relative height of a breaker is dependent only on the initial
steepness of the incident wave,
(1) Bp. A
lo” 363 4g fly
and that the ratio of depth of breaking to breaker height is constant.
(2) dp/Hp = 1.28
therefore
(3) dy /Ho = dp/Hp X Hp/Ho = 1.28 __1
3.3 YHo/Lo
Graphs drawn from relationships (1) and (3) are shown on Figures
land 2. Their most noteworthy aspect is the dependence of breaker
parameters on the initial steepness of the waves, The ratios between
breaker height and deep water wave height and between breaker depth and
deep water wave height increase with decrease in initial steepness.
This may be interpreted to mean that on a given beach, a steep wave will
break at a point before one less steep, and, before breaking, will have
a smaller growth in proportion to its original height.
All observations, though with a large amount of scatter, have con-
firmed the existence of these general tendencies.
Two compilations of empirical data should be noted which have a
bearing on this discussion of breakers, The first 7) is a plot of a
great number of breaker observations made both in the laboratory and in
the field, Through these points (which show a great deal of scatter)
is drawn an average curve for dp/Ho vs. Ho/Lo and Hp/Lo vs- Ho/Lo-
(See Figures 1 and 2. Both curves lie fairly close to those developed
5 .
POSITION OF SEAWALL CREST
BREAKER HEIGHT INDICES
—— US. Tech. Rept. HE—155—38
---- Solitary Wave Theory
—x— Breakers & Surf.
BREAKER DEPTH INDICIES
—— US. Tech. Rept. HE-155—38
—--— Solitary Wave Theory
—x*—Breakers & Surf.
002 .004 -006 008 Ol 02
Hof
PERCENT ENERGY TRANSMISSION AND RELATIVE
SWL + 0.7H EFFICIENCY OF SEAWALLS IN THE BREAKER j
ZONE
«— Energy transmission ettciency—s/
SWL
SWL—0.3H
SWL—H
100
PERCENT
6
Figure 3
Figure |.
Figure 2
from the solitary wave theory, though the ratio dp/Hp varies in range
about 1.7 to about 1.2 rather than remaining constant.
The second compilation presents the results of an extensive lab-
oratory investigation of breaker kinematics made at the University of
California. During the tests made on various slope beaches, a correla-
tion was noted between beach slope and relative breaker height. That is
a wave with an initial steepness of (say) 0.01, on a 1:50 slope, will
have a rela tive breaking height (H,/H,) of 1.4 but on a 1:10 slope
Hp/Ho will be 1.7. The results still follow the general results derived
from the solitary wave theory, i.e. that a steep wave will break before
a shallow wave on a given beach, but instead of one curve, a family of
curves is presented. It should be noted that the field verification of
the solitary wave theory of breakers was conducted on the Scripps
Institution of Oceanography beach which "...was of an average slope of
approximately 1:30..."(8) Munk's curve for relative breaker heights vs.
initial steepness follows quite closely the University of Galifornia
curve for a 1:30 slope which would seem to further verify the laboratory
results.
All in all, the University of California proposal that beach slope
affects relative breaker height seems to be presented with enough data
taken under controlled laboratory conditions to justify the use of its
index curve.
To find either breaker heights or depths knowing a deep water
height (Hj) and length (L,), refraction diagrams must be constructed,
and an equivalent deep water wave height H,' determined from
Ho! = Ho x K where K is the refraction coefficient found from the
diagrams. The breaker heights (Hp) and depths (dp) are then determined
from Figures 1 and 2 by use of the ratio (H,'/Ig)-
Height of Seawall to be Fully Effective - If we assume then, that
a seawall is placed at the point at which waves would ordinarily break
in the absence of the wall, and that the wall has no effect on the
magnitude of the breaker at that point (except as noted before, to di-
vert part of the horizontal wave momentum on-striking the wall) to be
totally effective the wall must have a height equal to or greater than
the crest height of the highest breaking wave expected. This height
is composed of two parts: The water depth plus the wave's crest height
above still wave level. The breaker height index (Figures1] and 2)
will give the maximum wave height to be expected at a certain beach
location, provided that the deep water wave height and steepness are
known. A review of the data presented by Reynolds(9) indicates that
about 68% of the wave height on breaking is above still water level.
Therefore, we may say, calling h, the height of tide above some
datum (MLW for example) that the wave's crest height on breaking will
be ht + 0.7 Hp above the chosen datum. This is equivalent to stating
that a wall at which the maximum tide height above (say) MLW ex-—
pected is hy and which is founded in such depth that the maximum
breaker height expected is Hp, will be totally effective if its crest
a
height hg above MLW is
(4) he = ht + 0-7 Hy
Comparative Effectiveness of Low Seawalls - Though it is possible
with the relationship just determined to design a seawall to be completely
effective in turning back the highest tide and wave expected at its
position, it is quite likely, due probably to economic considerations,
that such a wall would not be feasible to construct. The question then
arises of a wall's relative effectiveness when its crest height is below
that level which would completely turn back a certain height of wave.
_ Theoretically the problem has been solved for surface waves of
small amplituie(23) by considering the energy distribution of a wave
in the vertical, and assuming that that portion of the energy which
impinges on the submerged wall is not transmitted. (This criterion is
an extension of the one adopted previously for total effectiveness of
a wall). The results of this particular analysis cannot be extended
to the case at hand for, by considering waves of small amplitude, the
expression for the ratio of transmitted wave height to incident wave
height to incident wave height becomes (in shallow water ) Hy /Hi = J/-GY
where h and d are respectively the wall height and water depth before
the wall. This indicates that when a wall is at the height of still
water, nothing may be transmitted over it. Practically this if far
from true. :
_ Similarly we mst reject, for our case, another attack on the
problem made on the basis of shallow water wave theory (24) (25)
(theory of tides). In this derivation, the expression for the trans-—
mission coefficient, (Ht /H4) becomes 2 when h = d, but conservation
of energy demands that this transmitted wave be propagated with zero
velocity.
Since neither of the two theoretical treatments may be applied, |
we must take recourse to any observed or experimental work done on the
problem. One study (26) made in an attempt to correlate wave parameters
(especially length) to depth of water over a reef predicts (as would
be expected from the theoretical treatments) a decrease in ratio of
wave length over the reef to that before the reef, but unfortunately
gives no information as to relative wave heights. Other studies (27,28)
deal with underwater barriers of various cross-sections, all of which
however are located seaward of the breaker zone.
The only study of which appiication may be made in the present
case is one by J. Morison (29,30) on the damping effect of submerged
rectangular barriers, some of which were located in the breaker zone.
Even here, the application must be limited, for the problem at hand is
essentially that of a nearly horizontal reef in shallow water, while
Morison dealt with a rectangular barrier of finite width. However,
broad relationships may be derived which deal with the amount of energy
8
transmission over the barrier.
When the model was placed on a sloping beach at or near the surf
zone, with its top one wave height below still water level, the trans-
mitted wave height was approximately 90% of the incident height. When
the model crest was placed at the level of the trough of the incident
wave, this transmission coefficient was reduced to 55%, and when still
further raised to still water level the coefficient became 40%. If we
assume that the relative energy transmitted is proportional to the
square of the relative transmitted wave height (this is not strictly
true since energy is also a function of wave length, but another study (27)
(See page 13) indicates that the relationship of heights squared is
sufficiently accurate) the energy transmitted at these three barrier crest
heights is approximtely 80%, 30%, and 15% of the incident wave energy.
Letting the energy transmitted over a wall be the measure of its
effectiveness, we have four points through which a curve of wall efficiency
versus its crest height relative to still water level may be drawn.
(See Figure 3).
We Seawall Seaward of the Breaker Zone
General -— It is quite possible that a seawall must be placed on a
slope in such a position that the depth of water at the wall would not
be shallow enough to cause the maximum expected wave to break. That
this may come about may be seen by referring to section II in which
water depth variability is discussed. The wave attack at such a location
will differ from that on a structure in the breaker zone, therefore a
different approach must be used to find the maximum wave height expected
at the wall's depth.
Theoretically, many approaches have been made to determine the change
in wave parameters with decrease in depth. A few will be noted. For
waves of finite height, Stokes(10,11) ana struik(12,13) found to = third
approximation that the velocity of oscillatory waves is given by
L ar; 2
G). 2 =z eet = — sie (22),
8(S¢n4 270)" Z |
and the wave form by
2[(Cos4 220 cosh 27,2) ie GO
6 les 272 2 —
= @ Cos —— — —— > ; ae
ce Z Z § (90h 227)
e /
, [ seers 2r¢ aL CEE ge DST IEE 3 1G a!
a’ | cae Nella J cada dedi EEC alas
rs 32 (s1ah Pag pF . 3
Since seawalls will always be located in relatively shallow water,
the solitary wave theory 6 may also apply. This gives for the velocity
(7) (GF ='g(d + #)
and for the profile
aw
vt HE ¥ (a)
Recently J. J. Stoker(14) has extended the non-linear shallow
water wave theory by means of methods derived for the study of unsteady
flow in one dimension of a compressible gas. The theory is approximate,
and application is lacking, but it is interesting to note that the pro-
cedure permits the analysis of unsteady motions and can perdict the _
wave form at all points up a beach to the breaker. The continuous wave
form so derived becomes assymetrical as the breaker line is approached,
with the wave front slope steeper than that behind the wave crest. All
other theories however, approximate the unsteady motion up a beach by
a series of different steady motions. The assumption is that at every
depth on a slope, the wave will behave as if it were advancing over a
horizontal bettom at that depth. The wave form then is predicted approx—
imately by a series of still pictures, instead of a continuous record.
Munk's theory in particular predicts a breaker which on the whole is
symmetrical in shape, while Stoker's development predicts a marked steep-
ening of the wave front and a very unsymmetrical shape for the waves at
breaking .(15
(8)
The theory most commonly used for the prediction of wave parameters
is that of progressive oscillatory waves of small amplitude. This theory
as with Stokes' second approximation for waves of finite amplitude gives
for the wave velocity
(9) Of = Zs tanh 22a
“a
To obtain an expression for the change of wave height with depth
the assumption is made that the wave form approximates a Sine curve 16
(or better that the effect of higher order terms may be ignored).
-That is
2X
Qo) 7 =F Ses a
The potential energy per unit surface area is given by
a) 4°
and the kinetic energy is numerically equal, therefore the total energy
1s
2
>
20) PE a
It has been shown for both deep water (18) and shallow water waves (19)
that of this energy only a portion ig transmitted forward with the wave
form, and that this portion is given by the ratio of group velocity to
10
the wave velocity(17)
CBr ge (Sra ee ates) = S
which in deep water = 3. The mean rate of transmission of energy per
wave length and per unit crest width (the power) is P =n EC. This
rate of transmission remains the same in both deep and shallow water
(Po = P) and equating the two we have, if there is no refraction
Eto M9 Co = B, NE or
ET ee ea RNG GES
(14) Fame” ean Sa Mare sat 7 “|
43, FANE Lt
With refraction(20) the assumption is made that the power transmitted
between orthogonals to the wave crest remains unchanged, therefore
calling the ratio of the distance between two orthogonals in deep and
shallow water 0, /£ =
(15)
For these waves _bhe wave lengths in shallow and deep water are related
by L/Llg = tanh =” . This relationship permits the calculation of
wave parameters’ in shallow water as functions of the deep water wave
length, and as an aid in calculation, tables of these relationships
have been compiled and published. Figure 4 is a curve of Ho/Ho' for
various values of d/t and d/l.
Height of Seawall to be Fully Effective - With the aid of the
relationships between shallow and deep water wave height (Fisure 4),
we can find the maximum wave to be expected at a seawall if it is so
placed that these waves would not break on attaining this depth in the
absence of the wall. To apply the established criterion for total
effectiveness of the wall, i.e. that its crest height be at least as
high as the crest height of the highest impinging wave we must find
anevi che percentage of wave height which lies above still water level.
The paper by K. C. Reynolds (9), cited before, indicates that except
in the immediate vicinity of the breaker zone, this percentage rarely
exceeds 60%. If it is determined therefore, that a seawall must be
placed on a slope so as to be open to attack by non-breaking waves,
its crest height be above (say) MLW, for total effectiveness must be
(16) he = ht + 0.6 H
where ht is the height above MLW of the greatest expected tide, and
H is the greatest wave height expected.
11
b enbi4
"Ve 8 We
Comparative Effectiveness of Low Seawalls - By the same method
used on page 7, we may determine the relative effectiveness of seawalls
of a height not capable of completely turning back the o7pe- ved wave
attack. The primary source is the same paper by Morison (29) dealing
with rectangular barriers, this time using his results for steep waves
over an horizontal bottom. (The range of wave action at a seawall's
probable location on a slope will resemble this model). The results for
the heights of barrier reported on follow.
Depth of barrier crest Ratio of transmitted Ratio of transmitt—-
.below still water level to incident wave ed "Energy" to that
(in terms-of wave het.} height incident
H 0.8 0.64
0.4H 0.6 0.36
O 0.4 0.16
There is one other source which, in a broad way, confirms two
important results of Morison's paper. One type of barrier tested by
the Beach Erosion Board(27) was a vertical plane (e.g. a sheet pile
bulkhead). If the results of this study are plotted as the ratio of
depth over the barrier to incident wave height versus the relative
height of transmission (Figure 5) a wide scatter of points is noted.
However an average curve drawn through these points lies close to a
curve drawn through points plotted from Morison's data. Actually
Morison's points show higher transmission values, and therefore the
use of his results should be conservative. If in addition a plot is
made (Figure 6) of the ratio of relative energy (actual) transmitted
H.2 Li /Hi? L; to the square of the relative transmitted height (Hy? /
H;2), these points show little scatter, indicating that energy trans-
mission may be approximated by (Ht Y
SE) rs 50 100
PERCENT
Figure 7
14
a4
A suggestion for a theoretical approach was made in 1947 by Stoker,
who noted the similarity between broken waves and hydraulic jumps
or shock waves. However this analogy has not been explored further.
Notwithstanding the paucity of information on the problem of
broken waves and their characteristics at points landward of the
breaker zone, some logical criterion should be established to de-
termine how effective a seawall would be if so placed that the imping-
ing waves are already broken.
At breaking, a wave reaches its maximum amplitude. Moving up
a beach from the point of breaking, this amplitude must decrease, since
energy is dissipated in the turbulent flow. However, this decrease
has not been measured nor estimated and therefore no value may be placed
on it. In order to insure conservative results for seawall height, the
maximum wave amplitude instead of some lesser value should be employed.
The use of Figures 1 and 2 permits establishment of the depth and
height of a breaking wave, and from these the mximum crest elevation
may be determined. (ht + 0.7 Hy MLW, see page 8}. The criterion to
be adopted for total effectiveness of a seawall follows:
If a horizontal line be projected from the point of the breaker
crest shoreward to a seawall's proposed location, the seawall's crest
should be at least as high as this line. That is, the absolute height
of seawall crest should be equal to or greater than the absolute
height of a breaker crest. This is essentially an extension of the
analysis of a wall in the breaker zone.
To determine the relative effectiveness of seawalls lower than
this height, the curves of Figure 3 may be employed. Actually such
use is an extension of an approximate resuit, an an assumption of
accuracy would be unwarranted.
Vib. Summary
On the preceding pages general criteria have been established for
absolute and relative effective heights of seawalls within, landward
of, and seaward of, the breaker zone. For structures within and land-
ward of this zone, to be totally effective their height hg above some
datum should be
he = ht + 0.7 Hp
where hi is the maximum expected tidal height above this datum and Hp
is the maximum expected breaker height at the wall's position. A basis
for establishing relative effectiveness of lesser height walls is
presented on Figure 3.
Similarly for seawalls located seaward of the breaker zone, for
total effectiveness
15
h, = hy + 0.6 Hp
where here H is the maximam expected wave height at the wall's position.
Relative effectiveness of lower walls is shown on Figure 7,
Walitit.4) > An Actual Case - Galveston Texas
Unfortunately little data are available on the type of storm
attack experienced by those seawalls which heave withstood such attack.
Descriptions. of coastal structures turning back jlamaging wave action.
are ugspally,.¢raphic, containimg phrases‘stch as."a huge wave" which
* are of Tittle: practical value... ‘the report on Galveston's: seawall )
is an exception,. though even here, 2 _ large portion of descriptive
material. is wholly subjective.
After a violent hurricane in 1900 which caused damage to most
of the city, a seawall was constructed to a crest height of 17 feet,
MEW, (the hurricane caused storm tide heights up to 15 feet). In
1915, another storm of comp rable intensity accompanied by a storm
tide of 12.5 feet struck the protected area. This tide height left
about 10 feet or more water depth at the toe of the wall, and a wall
free-board of only 2.5 feet. Though no description of the waves is
given in the report, it is easy to suess that wave action accompanying
the storm overtopped the wall. Portions of the report read, "Con-
Siderable quantities of water came over the wall, seriously d-naging
the embankment back of it in places....", "The volume of water passing
over the wall was surprisingly large. One observer reports that at
Sixth and Broadway, the water appeared to be coming over in a continuous
sheet estimated to average 2 feet deep."
The distance from tide level to a point 2 feet above the seawall
crest is about 6.5 feet. Therefore the wave height (equation 4) should
have been about 6.5/0.7 = 9 feet. Other parts of the report estimate
that waves “of any material frequency were about 5 feet higher than
the wall;" in this case the wave height itself would have been
9.5/0.7 = 13.5 feet. Considering that the wind attained a maximum
velocity of 93 miles per hour at Galveston, waves of these heights
are not excessive.
Bibliography
(1) Johnson, D. W., Shore Processes and Shoreline Development, New
3 B)
York, John ‘iley and Sons, 1919
2) Krecker, F. H., Periodic Oscillation in Lake Brie, Ohio, State
) 3 9° a : 2 ’
University, The lranz Theodore Stone Laboratory, Contribution
Tr; 1928.
; 2
(3) House of Representatives, Doc. #693, 66th Congress, 2d Session,
"Galveston Island and Galveston Channel"
Doc. #173, 8lst Congress, 1st Session, "Galveston Harbor and
Channel"
16
(3a) Massachusetts Geodetic Survey, Storm Tide Hurricane of September
1938 _in Massachusetts, 1939.
(4) Chatley, H.,"The Breaking of Waves isainst Vertical Sea Walls,
Researches of M. J. Larras, Jn5. Jock and Harbour Authority,
May 1938.
(5) lLarras, J.,"Le Deferlment des lames sur les jetees verticales,
Annales des Ponts et Chaussees, #26, 1937.
(6) Munk, W. H., The colitary Wave Theory and its Application to Surf
Problems? Annales of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol.
51, Art. 3, May 1949.
(7) U. S. Hydrographic Office, ‘-gakers amd Surf, Principles in Fore-
casting, H. O. Publ. i234, November 1944.
(8) Iverson, H. W., R. C. Crooke, M. J. Larocco and R. L. Wiegel,
Beach Slope Effect on Breakers and Surf Forecasting, U. of
California Technical Report 7155-38, 7 December 1950 (res-
tricted).
(9) Reynolds, K. C., Laboratory Investigations of Characteristics
of Waves Approaching Beaches
(10) Beach Erosion Board, A Summary of the Theory of Oscillatory
Waves. B.E.B. Technical Report No. 2, 1942.
(11) Stokes, Ge G.,"On the Theory of Oscillatory Waves’and “Supplement
to a Paper on the Theory of Oscillatory Waves,’ Collected
Papers, Vol. 1
(12) Beach Erosion Board, A Study of Progressive Oscillatory Waves in
Water, BEB Technical Report No. 1, 1941.
(13) Struik, D. J.,"Rigorous Determination of the Periodic Irrotation-
al Waves in a Channel of Finite Depth} Mathematische Annalen,
Berlin, 1926, pp. 595-634.
(14) Stoker, J. J.,'The Formation of Breakers and Bores} Communications
on Applied Mathematics, Vol. I, No. 1, January 1948.
(15) Stoker, J. J.,’The Breaking of Waves in Shallow Water; Annals of
the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. 51, Art. 3, May 1949.
(16) Lamb, H., Hydrodynamics, Sixth Edition, Cambridge University Press,
1932, p-. 3
(17) Lamb, H., ibid, p. 369.
ay
(18) Reynolds, 0.,"On the Rate of Progression of Groups of Waves and
the Rate at which Energy is Transmitted by Waves, Nature,
Vol. XVI, 1877, pp 4 343-44 °
(19) Rayleigh, Lord, On Progressive Waves, Proceedings of London Math-
(20) Johnson, J. W., M. P. O'Brien, and J. Isaacs, The Graphical Con-
struction of Wave Refraction Diagrams, U. S. Hydro. Office,
Publication No.
(21) U. S. Hydrographic Office, Breakers ami Surf, Hydro. Office
Publication No. 234, November 1944.
(22) Beach Erosion Board, Bulletin BEB, Special Issue No. 1, July 1948.
(23) Fuchs, R. A., Manual of Amphibious Oceanography, Section Ta
"Wave Theory; U. of Calif., 1951, p. 21 (unpublished, restricted).
(24) Fuchs, R. A., ibid, p. 69.
(25) Lamb, H., Hydrodynamics, p. 262.
(26) Beach Erosion Board, A Wave Method for Determining Depths over
Bottom Discontinuities, BEB Technical Memo. No. 5, May 1944.
(27) Beach Erosion Board, A Model study of the &ffect of Submerged
Breakwaters on Wave Action, BEB Technical Memo. No. 1, May 15,
1940.
(28) Stucky, A., and ). Bonnard, Contribution to the Experimen tal
Study of Marine Rock Fill Dikes} Bulletin, Technique de la
Suisse Romand, Avg 1947. (see also summary in BuB Tech. Memo.
No. 1).
(29) Morison, J. R., Model Study of Wave Action on Underwater Barriers,
U. of California Technical Report HE-116-304, July 7, 1949.
(30) Johnson , J. W., R. A. Fuchs, J, R. Morrison,'"The Damping action
of Submerged Breakwaters Transactions of American Geophysical
Union, Vol. 32, No. 5, October 1, 1951, p. 704.
KK EK EK *
NOTE: The Bulletin will welcome comments or discussion of the fore-
going or any other articles published in the Bulletin.
18
LABORATORY STUDY OF
AN ELECTROMAGNETIC CURRENT METER
This article is a brief summary of some recent work
dons at the Beach Erosion Board's laboratory with a view
to devising an instrument that would masure and record
internal water velocitiies associated with wave motion.
The work was accomplished by H. A. Taylor and C. M. Hare
under the direction of J. M. Caldwell, Chief of the
Research Division of the Beach Erosion Board.
In order to obtain more complete measurements of water wave char-
acteristics, an instrument is desired which will accurately measure and
record the orbital velocities of the water particles within a wave
formation. It appeared that an all electrical instrument would eliminate
bulkiness and have a high degree of flexibility, so the investigation
was limited to an instrument utilizing the basic principle of electro-
magnetic induction. The motion of the water as associated with wave
action would serve as a moving conductor in which an electro-motive
force (EMF) would be induced in the presence of a magnetic field. A
pair of electrodes, in-the water connected to a suitable recording
device would pick up and record the induced voltage, which if the field
strength and electrode separation were maintained constant, would be.
directly related to the water velocity. The electrode alignment would
be perpendicular to the field direction, and thus only the velocity
component perpendicular to both field and electrode alignment would
contribute to the voltage picked up by the electrodes. This suggests
the possibility that two mutually perpendicular pairs of electrodes
could be used to measure and record the components of a velocity both
parallel and perpendicular to a given base line, and from these:
simultaneous values the magnitude and direction of the incident velocity
could be computed.
After study of published works of other experimenters, it was de-
cided to investigate the performance of an instrument similar to one
proposed by Guelke and Vanneck.* Their instrument consisted of a
toroidal coil to provide the magnetic field and pick-up electrodes in
& plane parallel to the plane of the coil, suspended at any given dis-
tance along the coil axis. Guelke and Vanneck utilized alternating
currents to energize the field coil as the use of direct current usually
causes polarization of the electrodes. However, the use of alternating
current 2 leepdbtn to have the fee disadvantages: (1) an alternating
field would induce an alternating voltage in any loops formed by the
electrode leads, the mgnitude of which could exceed that expected for
* The Measurement of Sea-Water Velocities by Electromagnetic Induction,
R. W. Guelke, C. A, Schoute-Vanneck, Journal, Institution of Electrical
Engineers, London, Vol. 94, Pt, 2, No. 37, February 1947.
19
the voltage induced by the water velocity; (2) the alternating field
would cause an induced voltage in the water even though the water
velocity were zero; (3) the alternating induced voltage would have
to be rectified before it could be recorded in a direct eurrent
instrument; and (4) an alternating current power supply cannot be pro-
vided for a field installation as simply as a direct current supply
such as portable storage batteries. For these reasons it was decided
to employ direct current in the investigations conducted at the seach
_ Erosion Board's laboratory, with the expectation that the one disadvan-
tage associated with its use, that of polarization, could be satisfactorily
over come «
Calculations indicated that an instrument using a toroidal exciting
coil, energized by direct cu:7ent, with two pairs of electrodes aligned
on perpendicular axes to record simultaneously induced voltages on two
General Electric Photoelectric Potentiometer Recorders, would be
practicable. However, before assembling an instrument which would be
practical for field tests, preliminary tests were made with a small
laboratory model utilizing the same basic principles. For this purpose
a small field coil and a storage battery were used. Copper wire
electrodes coated with colloidal graphite were introduced into a
specially built flum which provided a known water velocity, and the
induced voltage was recorded on a portable d'Arsonval galvanometer. On
the basis of the known water velocity and field strength, the anticipated
induced voltage was computed to be approximately 0.17 millivolts. Dur—-
ing these tests, deflections of approximately one unit were ovserved on
the galvanometer whose sensitivity was estimated at 0.15 millivolts per
unit. However, throughout the tests varying deflections of the galvano-—
meter were noted which apparently were caused by a varying potential
induced by some other source than the magnetic field and water velocity.
This externally ind:ced masking potential made observation of the smalicr
deflection caused by the water velocity induced potential very difficult.
fuelitatively though, these preliminary tests indicated that the induced
voltage was directly proportional to the velocity of the water and the
separation of the electrodes.
Another series of tests was then initiated utilizing the same equip-—
ment described above with the exception that various types of electrodes
were used, and the electrodes were connected to a General Electric Photo-
electric Potentiometer Recorder, model &CE5 DM5Y-1. The resylts of this
series of tests were unsatisfactory in that the masking potential was
still present. No noticeable change in reading was obtained from the
recorder upon applying a voltage to the field coil, but a potential
of greatly varying amplitude and varying polarity was present at all
times. The induction-of this troublesome masking potential into the
measuring circuit was attributed to the chemical electrolysis between
the water and the electrodes. To minimize the effect of this undesirable
chemically induced voltage, another series of tests was made with a
different coil providing a magnetic field of considerably greater
strength. Calculations of induced voltage for different velocities
20
of water flow were made for the new coil, which wmder some conditions ex-
eseded the jniieated value of the phemieadalry produced voltage.
Tne several. types of electrodes used for these tests are as Lollows:
a. 22 gauge bare copper wire
b. 1/4 inch = arg cooper tubing
ce. 3/8 inch bare conver tubing
die ah anc ns dises, formed from capillery tubing
@. 22 gvaupe iichrome wire
f. 22 gauge bare copper shaet, exposed eurtaee 13 inchés by
1/4 inch
g. 22 gauge tantalum wire
h. 17 gauge titanium plate, exposed surface 1 inch by 1/4 inch
No satisfactory measurements could be made utilizing ‘ie: 22 gauge bare cop-
ver. or aichvome wire eloctrodes. A potential always existed across
these wire electrodes which completely obscured any water velocity-in-
duezd voltage. the electrodes made up of copper tubing and those shaped
as discs were discarded because they obstricted the flow of water and
created turbulence which resulted in wildly fluctuating readings on
the recorder. It was recognized that the wire electrodes had a terminal
resistance much higher than the resistance value recommended to be
connected with the recorder. The operating recorder requires a small
current from the measured potential, and it is believed that this fact
combined with the varying electrolytically—induced potential prevented
the recorder from reaching a balance and recording the velocity—induced
quantity. Electrodes fashioned from the highly corrosion resistant
metals of tantalum and titanium were also unsatisfactory. The limited
action between the water and electrodes resulted in a high circuit
resistance and no satisfactory readings could be taken. Several ad-
apter circuits developed for use between the elesirodes and the recorder
were tested, but proved ee ee
Efforts “directed ome reducing the terminal Hantuataan of the
electrodés resulted in the use of the copper sheet electrodes, -and with
this type the velocity-induced voltage produced when the coil°was
energized, could be clearly observed on the recorder as superimposed
upon the changing reading of the potential produced: by electrolytic
action. It was showm that in the presence of the magne tic field. a.
voltage was-induced in the flowing water that was a‘direct but’ non=
linear function of the water velocity. The salinity: of the water ad
no apparent effect on the relationship between velocity and “the ° induced
voltage. vig
Before a practical instrument utilizing the principle of electro-
magnetic induction can be developed to measure ‘and record water
velocities satisfactorily, it appears that a suitable means of eliminat-
ing or compensating the chemically induced voltage must be found. An
instrument built for continuous operation must also overcome the basic
21
deficiency of the direct current field, namely the polarization of
the electrodes. With these basic deficiencies still unsolved after
a fairly comprehensive investigation, the Research Division of the
Beach Erosion Board has presently discontinued work on this project,
although it still has a decided interest in encouraging the develop-—
ment of an instrument to measure the magnitude and direction of orbital
wave currents whether the instrument utilizes electromagnetic induction
or some other principle.
22
of water flow were made for the new coil, which under some conditions ex-
ezeded the jnifverted value of the chemically puoruced voltage.
fine several types of alae mbiaoe used for these tests are as iollows:
a. 22 gauge bare copper wire
b. 1/4 inch bare cooper tubing
ce. 3/8 inch bare conver tubing
d, 1 inch copper dises, formed from capillary tubing
e. 22 gauge iichrome wire
f. 22 gauge bare copper sheet, exposed surface 13 inches by
1/4 inch
ge. 22 gauge tantalum wire
h. 17 gauge titanium plate, exposed surface 1 inch by 1/4 inch
No satisfactory measurements could be made utilizing the 22 gauge oare cop-
ver. or nichnvome wire oloctrodes. A potential always existed across
eae wire electrodes which completely obscured any water velocity—in-
duced voltage, the electrodes made up of copper tubing and those shaped
as discs were discarded because they obstrcted the flow of water and
created turbulence which resulted in wildly fluctuating readings on
the recorder. It was recognized that the wire electrodes had a terminal
resistance much higher than the resistance value recommended to be
connected with the recorder. The operating recorder requires a small
current from the measured potential, and it is believed that this fact
combined with the varying electrolytically-induced potential prevented
the recorder from reaching a balance and recording the velocity—induced
quantity. Electrodes fashioned from the highly corrosion resistant
metals of tantalum and titanium were also wnsatisfactory. The limited
action between the water and electrodes resulted in a high circuit
resistance and no satisfactory readings could be taken. Several ad-
apter circuits developed for use between the elestiodes and the recorder
were tested, but proved HOS EES Cho
Efforts” ‘directed Homan reducing the terminal rasiapane of the
electroddés resulted in the use of the copper sheet electrodes, and with
this type the velocity-induced voltage produced when the soil was
energized, could be clearly observed on the recorder as super imposed
upon the changing reading of the potential produced: by electrolytic
action. It was shown that in the presence of the magnetic field. a,
voltage was~induced in the flowing water that was a’direct but non
linear function of the water velocity. The salinity. of the water had
no apparent effect on the ae ee between velocity and’ the : induced
voltage. i
Before a practical instrument utilizing the principle of electro-
magnetic induction can be developed to measure ‘and record water
velocities satisfactorily, it appears that a suitable means of eliminat-
ing or compensating the chemically induced voltage must be found. An
instrument built for continuous operation must also overcome the basic
21
deficiency of the direct current field, namely the polarization of
the electrodes. With these basic deficiencies still unsolved after
a fairly comprehensive investigation, the Research Division of the
Beach Erosion Board has presently discontinued wark on this project,
although it still has a decided interest in encouraging the develop-
ment of an instrument to measure the magnitude and direction of orbital
wave currents whether the instrument utilizes electromagnetic induction
or some other principle.
22
PROGRESS REPORTS ON RESEARCH CONTRACTS
It is proposed that future issues of the Bulletin include abstracts
from progress reports on the several research contracts in force between
universities or other institutions and the Beach Erosion Board. The
following is based on progress reports from three such contracts.
Alig University of California, Status Report No. 4, 1 December 1951
throwh 31 Janua 1952.
This report pertains mainly to the origin of sand upon beaches,
particularly with reference to beaches of Southern California.
Work Completed in Current Period
1. Three trips were made to Santa Barbara:
ae 12 to 15, December, immediately following a period of
heavy rainfall to collect sand samples from principal
streams entering the ocean, in order to make mineral-
ogical studies of the sands with the object of determining
the source of sand on the ocean beaches.
b. 26 to 30, December, detailed survey of Santa Barbara
Harbor and beaches at time of the year's lowest tides.
The extremely low water permitted the detailed determina-
tion of slope of the underwater points of the sand island,
which was found to range between 29° and 31°, averaging
30°. The feeder beach east of the harbor receded rapidly
during the very high tides that preceded the very low
tides.
Ce 17 to 20, January, photographic survey of stream and
beach erosion immediately following the major floods of
January 15 to 17. These floods were the most severe in
15 years. Sand samples for mineralogical analysis were
taken at the same localities as in the December survey,
and at other places as well.
2. Mechanical and mineralogical analyses of the samples collected
during the two December surveys have been furnished.
36 The comprehensive report of the results of the current year's
study is 75 per cent complete.
4. A summary report of progress is 98 per cent complete. The
mineralogical studies have indicated that mineral composition of the
sediments varies very little in the Santa Barbara area itself, whereas
it varies significantly along the coast west and north of Santa Barbara.
23
The difference in mineral content indicate that sand moves around
Point Conception and Point Arguelo. As the streams have not been in
major flood for a number of years, it follows that most of the 900
cubic yards of sand a day that is trapped in Santa Barbara comes from
off shore areas or littoral drift from the north.
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At tne present time the shore line is 75 feet landward from the
end of the breakwater, as shown in Figure 1 and 2. The height of the
sand fill is estimated to be 12 feet above mean lowwater. 4s the
original depth of water at the present position of the shore line
prior to the construction of the harbor was of the order of 40 feet,
the average thickness of sand below mean low water is 20 feet and the
average thickness of the entire fill is 32 feet. The area filled by
sand is a triangle, extending 2000 feet along the shore and 3000 feet
inland. The volume of fill, accordingly, is of the order of 3,500,000
cubic yards.
The sand on the beach is coarse, the average diameter is 0.4 to
0.6 millimeter (Table 1). The slope of the beach is 9° in front of
the normal storm berm, and 12° in front of the artificial piles of
sand near the fixed dredge. (Figure 2). Numerous rock fragments up
to 6 inches in diameter, composed of granite, geniss, and porphyry,
are washed along the beach by the waves, The water deepens rapidly
off shore. The waves commonly are 4 to 6 feet high. The tide has
a maximum rise and fall of 5 feet.
The area of sand fill ends 2200 feet west of the breakwater in a
rocky point, composed of coarse-grained granitic rocks. A small rocky
mass consisting of granite porphyry, lies 900 feet east of the rocky
promontory (Figure 2). A jetty 400 feet in length has been built 300
feet east of the point, in order to trap sand that might otherwise
settle on the beach and build it forward. This jetty had been in op-
eration for 12 to 18 months prior to November 1951. During that time
a bench had been built seaward 100 or more feet and up te abcub mesn
low water level on the west side vi the jetty. The beach above this
bench slopes 49. The average grain size is 195 microns. High tiae
level is at the same poSition on the two sides of the jetty. In ovner
words, sand that thus far has been trapped west cf this jetty is ouch
finer than sand deposited on the beach east of the jetty. Also, the
sand has been laid dom largely below mean low water. The jetty hence
does not seem to be catching much of the material that moves along the
shore, especially the coarse sand that forms the major part of the
srosieolaleye
The beach along the ocean east of the harbor is 200 to 300 feet
wide. It is composed of medium-grained sand, having an average dia—
meter of 395 microns. The beach slopes 9° and is encroaching upon the
breakwater at a very slow rate, if any.
A sand island is forming inside the harbor about 1000 feet inland
from the end of the west breakwater. The beach facing tie sea on this
islam slopes 5°. The sand is fine grained; the average diameter is
190 microns. A submerged beach is being built along the inside edge
of the breakwater between the sand island and the end of the breakwater,
as is attested by waves breaking along the breakwater as they move in—-
land. Rocks up to 6 inches in length are washed along this submerged
beach by waves. A small mass of fine sand having a median dicmeter
of 170 microns has accumulated in the northeast corner cf the outer
harbor. The slope of the beach here is 3°.
26
°
It is interesting to note that according to the data presented
in Table 1, the sand on the beach facing the open ocean is not
particularly well-sorted for beach sand, as the coefficient of sort-
ing ranges from 1.34 to 1.41. The sand on the beaches in the harbor
and just west of the jetty, is well sorted, having a coefficient of
sorting of 1.19 to 1.22. All samples have very little skewness, as
the logarithm of skewmmess ranges between -0.011 and +0.014.
The fixed dredge is housed in a reinforced concrete building 200
feet long and 40 feet wide, with walls 5 feet thick. The base of this
building lies 30 feet below mean low water to give the structure
stability and protection against waves. The dredge is manned by six
suction pipes 18 inches in diameter, which feed into a pipe line of
equal dimensions, 7000 feet in length. This pipe line passes along
the west side of the harbor and crosses the harbor along the central
dock. A booster pump is located at the northwest corner of the harbor.
A double swinging bridge carried the pipe across the entrance to the
inner port. The pipe comes apart in three places to permit opening
of the swinging bridge when ships enter the imer harbor. The level
of the pipe is 10 or 12 feet above mean low water. The bends of the
pipe at the corners of the harbor have a radius of curvature of 15
feet. The outlet of the pipe is 500 feet off shore on the east side
of the east breakwater. It spills out on top of the riprap. No
sand island has formed at the point of discharge. As of November
1951, the swinging bridge across the channel to the inner harbor was
being maintained in an open position, and sand from the dredge was
being pumped to low places west of the harbor.
A pond 100 feet in maximum width has been dug in front of the
stationary dredge, but the sand from the ocean does not freely enter
this pit so it can be dredged away. In order to cause the shore line
to recede to a position where waves can wash sand into the dredging
pit, a drag-line has been installed to pull sand into the dredging
pit. An anchor buoy and winch are used for this purpose. Iwo lines
of concrete piles about 20 feet apart have been constructed in order
to facilitate the entrance of sand into the dredging pit. The drag-
line and dredging pumps are said to operate four hours at each high
tide. The sand-drag has to be operated continually, as sand soon fills
the trough dredged by the drag-line, thus preventing the movement of
sand into the dredging pit by natural beach processes. Sand is also
scooped from the beach with the aid of bulldozers and piled on top of
the storm berm just west of the dredging pit. (Figure 2).
As this dredging progresses, the beach is receding, as is
attested by the steep little cliffs at the rear of the fore-slope.
When the beach shall have receded to point A (Figure 2), it is planned
to remove the line of piles from A to B, and those on the other side
as well, so that sand more freely can enter the dredging pit. A
temporary line of piles will then be driven along line BC. When the
beach reaches B, this series of piles will.be removed and a permanent
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pile bulkhead will be built from C to D to protect the beach and dredge
from ocean waves, The drag-line has been in operation for about six
months. The operators believe that one-fourth of the sand scheduled
for removal has been taken out.
It is too early to predict the general effectiveness of this
fixed dredge installation. The beach most certainly was receding as
of November 1, 1951. Asshown on Figure 2, the shore line has gone
back 30 or 40 feet from the position as shown on the design drawings.
The positionof the shore line as shown in a photograph in the Beach
Erosion Pepart (Bulletin, 1 duly 1951) taken a short time prior to
November 1950 is essentially the same as the position in November 1951.
If the position in November 1951 is the same as that of 12 months or
more earlier and if the beach is now receding, it would seem as if the
beach had advanced and then retreated during the year. The question
then arises as to whether the beach is now receding mainly as a result
of the dredging action of the drag-line operations or is receding
seasonally because of higher waves or higher tides, as is the‘ custom
of many beaches. Theoretically it would seem as if the drag line
operations were removing sand from the beach, thus facilitating the
recession of the shore line. If so, then in time the beach should
attain some position whereby sand could progress directly into the
dredging pit and be removed. It would be desirable to re-examine the
beach in 6 months or a year to determine the rate of recession.
As shown in Figure 2, a permanent pile bulkhead is ultimately
planned along line CD to protect the beach and dredge from the waveSe
This bulkhead is convex seaward, whereas most stable beaches between
points of obstruction are concave seawarde It will be interesting
to see if the beach does attain a stable convex shape, while at the
same time supplying the dredging pit with sand. An alternative that
might be considered is to allow or cause the beach to achieve a concave
profile extending from the granite porphyry rock to the dredge (Figure
2). However the radius of curvature of such a beach that would be
necessary to cause effective natural transmission of sand to: the
dredging pit might be too short for the beach to remain in equilibrium
with the result that the beach would build seaward to anextent that
sand could not enter the dredging pit. In such an event the rocky
mass of porphyry 1/4 mile west of the dredge, might be removed in order
to provide a greater recession of the shore line and a longer and
perhaps more stable radius of curvature of the beach. One compilation
of such a configuration of shore line would be direct approach of waves
to the fixed dredge, which in time of storm might cause serious pro-
blems.
Even though a fixed dredge, such as the one at Salina Cruz should
prove to be an effective means of combating surplus sand in harbors,
the comparative cost of operation and amortization relative to the
cost of periodic removal of sand from the harbor by floating dredge
is also a factor to be considered. It would seem as if a satisfactory
dredge could never trap all the sand that moves along the beach and in
29
_ aie
3 QvaHnINe
AwVuOdm31 :
S332 mi 2109S
BMITZBVOHS 40 NOILISOE
“BR ‘ZNUD VMIIVS
39034uq0 G3XI4
220yS4j0 12108 9990
( eowwod 9- % Fe20m)
NVIZJO IDIsIIVd
Ashgdi0g = 8410049
FIGURE 2
30
the water offshore, with the result that some sand would enter the
harbor and perhaps ultimately lead to dredging. The amount of such
sand seemingly would be a factor in deciding whether a fixed dredge
would be more feasible than periodic use of a floating dredge.
The fact that the sand now accumulating on the island in the
harbor is only -one-half as coarse as the sand on the beach west of
the harbor, suggests that the sand in the harbor is derived largely
from sediment transported in water a short distance offshore, where
wave and current action perhaps is weaker than in the very shallow
water immediately adjacent to the beach. If so, an-appreciable
amount of such sand might fail to come within reach of the dredge and
would enter the harbor.
At any rate the stationary dredge conceived by Sr. Rolland and
his associates is an inspired innovation in harbor engineering.
Drifting sand is a serious problem at Salina Cruze A large quantity
of sand, perhaps 500,000 or more cubic yards a’ year, moves along
this beach. Unless this sand is effectively prevented from entering
the harbor, the mintenance of the port becomes a serious problem.
If the stationary dredge does achieve this objective, it will be a
rewarding engineering achievement, for which the rest of the world
will heartily thank our pioneering Mexican friends for providing a |
new procedure for coping with the serious problems of shifting beach
Sand.
ALI 6 Scripps Institution of Oceanography Quarterly Progress Report
Noe 10, October—December 1951
SUBMARINE GEOLOGY
Survey of Mission Bay Channel
As a result of the numerous recent drownings caused by small boats
capsizing on the bar at the entrance to Mission Bay, a joint survey was
made of the channel on 14 December 1951 by Scripps Institution of Oceano-
graphy and the Corps of Engineers (see Figure 1).
In May 1950, an 8 foot deep channel was dredged between the Middle
and North jetties connecting Mission Bay with the open oceane Following
the opening of the new channel, surveys were made by the Beach Erosion
Board in June, September, and November 1950 and April 1951.,
The initial channel was dredged along the center line between the
two jetties. Study of the first three surveys shows a progressive deep-
ening of the channel.on the bay side, and shoaling on the seaward end
of the channel, where a bar formed. The location of the channel (mid-
way between the jetties) was little changed during this period. The
April 1951 survey showed that the relatively straight channel of previ-
ous surveys had become somewhat sinuous. Also there was appreciable
shoaling along the seaward end of the Middle Jetty, and a bar extended
from the shoal area toward the end of the North Jetty.
Comparison of the April 1951 survey with the survey of December
1951 shows that the channel has increased in sinuosity, now having an
inverted "S" shape. On the bay end of the inlet the main channel runs
along the Middle Jetty while on the seaward end it is along the North
Jetty (see Figure 1). Where the channel runs next to the jetties it
is narrow and deep, while the portion between jetties 1s broad and
shallow, having a silt depth of about 74 feet below MLLW. The shoaling
along the seaward end of the Middle Jetty has continued, and a 104-f oot
deep bar extends across the inlet from the end of the Middle Jetty
to within 100 feet of the end of the North Jetty. The bar moved 500
feet seaward between the April and December surveys. It seems probable
that the capsizing of small boats in the inlet resulted from a combina-
tion of minus tides, strong ebb currents, large waves breaking over the
bar, and lack of local acquaintance with breaking entrances.
Statistical Study of Currents in the Surf Zone
The statistical study of the variability and prediction of long—
shore currents mentioned in previous progress reports has been completed.
It will receive a limited initial distribution as SIO Submarine Geology
Report No. 23.
The study showed that the variability of the longshore component
as measured by its standard deviation is equal to or larger than the
32
mean velocity. In order to obtain current velocities that are representa-
tive of the beach as a whole, it is necessary to take as many measure-
ments and at as many different stations along a beach as possible.
The momentum approach to the prediction of longshore currents by
Putnam, Munk and Traylor leads to weful forecasts provided the beach
friction coefficient k is permitted to vary with the longshore velocity, ,
V. The indicated relation is kx. V?/2. As an aid in computing longshore
currents, three alignment charts have been prepared incorporating the
above relation. Two are for natural beaches, with slopes ranging up to
3 per cent, in one case, and up to 103 per cent in the other. The third
chart is for use on model beaches with slopes ranging from 0 to 105
degrees and breaker heights from 0.1 to 0.5 feet. Copies of these charts
are available upon request.
Marine Beaches of the United States
Further study has been made of the large suite of samples collected
ina series of trips along the beaches of the United States. Figures 2
and 3 show respectively the relation of the foreshore slope to grain size
and the relation of sorting to grain size. These are a compilation of
all the samples. Figure 3 differentiates between the samples from the
west coast, the Florida and Gulf of Mexico beaches, and New England
beaches. Some of the variation from the average curve showing increase
of slope with increase in grain size (figure 2) appears to be related to
protection of the area from the violence of wave attack. The protected
areas show steeper slopes for corresponding grain sizes. The grain size
of the sands, on the other hand, shows little relation to the exposure
to wave attsck, but is decidedly related to the source material. The
reason that many pocket and cove beaches have coarse sand is that only
coarse mterial is available to make these sands. ‘The typical fine sand
of long beaches is in many cases due te the derivation froma larger river
which transports predominantly fine sand.
Changes in Submarine Canyon Heads
Continued soundings along the accurate range lines at the heads of
Scripps Canyon during the past three months have revealed an interesting
series of depth changes. The canyon heads had been filling in during
the previous three-month period. Observations on 11 December, directly
after a series of high waves, showed continued fill, amounting to as much
as 5 feet. An earthquake of moderate intensity was felt on 25 December
in the San Diego area. A survey on the following day showed a deepening
of as mich as 7 feet in one canyon head and of 2 or 3 feet in the adjacent
head. The roiled condition of the water over the canyon heads during the
survey was in marked contrast to the clear water on either side, indicat-—
ing that the sediment had not yet settled in the 16-hour period which
intervened between the earthquake and the survey. It was estimated that
33
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SCALE IN FEET
ATES
GRID BASED ON “OLD TOWN” COORD!
Figure
MEDIAN DIAMETER |
GRAIN SIZE COMPARED TO FCRESHORE SLOPE FOR BEACH
SAMPLES FROM ALL PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES
So
2.0
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35
FIGURE 3
x WEST COAST BEACHES
e FLORIDA AND GULF OF MEXICO BEACHES
8 NEW ENGLAND BEACHES
PH! DEVIATION MEASURE
rey
}
+1.0 +15
0.5
MEDIAN DIAMETER
PHI DEVIATION COMPARED TO GRAIN SIZE. PHI DEVIATION IS
ANALOGOUS TO STANDARD DEVIATION WITH THE MOST
UNIFORM SEDIMENTS HAVING THE SMALLEST VALUES.
36
approximately a half million cubic feet of sand was dislodged as a
result of this earthquake. An unusual occurrence was the shoaling of the
ridge between the two deepened canyon heads. This shoaling had a maximum
of 3 feet along one sounding line. This increase is decidedly above the
possible error of surveying. The explanation for this shoaling is un-
known but it is hoped in the near future to have a diving operation which
may throw some light on the subject. A survey a few days after the slide
had been detected, showed that the intersection, where the water is only
about 15 feet deep, had filled to the extent of 2 feet. At this point the
canyon depth below its surroundings was 5 feet and became 2 feet. However,
a greater depths only a very slight fill was indicated during this same
period. At the time of the landslide no change occurred in the valley.
which had been opened up, apparently by an earthquake, in 1949. This had
not filled previous to the recent earthquake.
Multi-Sock Sediment Trap
Sand Movement - Observations of sand movement at different elevations
above the bottom in La Jolla Bay were made using the multi-sock sediment trap
described in Progress Report No. 2. As before, the trap was lowered and
picked up from a DUKW. Most of the stations were made at 40- to 85-foot
depths. Swimmers equipped with Aqua-lungs oriented the trap on the bottom,
took photographs, and checked for sand movement, ripple marks, and bottom-
dwelling organisms. Repeated observations under different wave conditions
have been made now at 4- to 5-foot depth (near breaking), about 20 feet-
40 feet, 60 feet, and 85 feet on fairly level sand bottom. In addition a
series of four observations was made in the sloping, sand-covered, bowl-
like head of South Branch of Scripps submarine canyon.
The samples collected were analyzed by the settling tube method.
Occurrence of micaceous minerals was especiaiiy noted. Mica (bictite and
sericite) was found to be especially abundant in sediments from the sub-
marine canyon head. Median diameter of the sediments in the trap from the
stations on gently sloping shelf show a decrease away from shcre. The
sands caught by the trap in the canyon head have a decidedly higher mica
content than those from like depths on the open shelf, under similar wave
conditions. However, samples taken in the canyon head during and just
after a rainstorm have a mica content very much like normal shelf deposits.
No evidence was found of abnormal sediment transport during the rain nor
was any mud found in the bags.
Wave records made by the fathometer on the DUKW were analyzed whenever
available to determine wave characteristics. From these values and theore-
tical relations, wave orbital velocities at the bottom were calculated.
Where such records were not available, as, for instance, near the surf zone,
orbital velocities were calculated from observed breaker heights and periods.
When weight of sediment caught per hour at a given bay height above the
bottom is plotted against orbital velocity computed from wave theory, the
envelope of the point distribution conforms to expectations. However, no
quantitative relations have been worked out as yet.
37
New Sediment Trap - A modified verision of the multi-sock trap ms
been built and preliminary calibration begun. It differs from the older
model chiefly in that the frame is demountable and the legs more widely
spaced. Iwo more traps of this new design are being constructed. Several
such traps may then be placed in operation to get simultaneous observations
at different water depths.
Ripple Mark Observations - Ripple marks were observed in some detail
by the divers in connection with sediment movement studies. The following
observations apply to fine sand bottom outside the breaker line:
1. Ripples are the result of orbital motion of waves causing
a current which near the bottom is resolved into a long forward and back-
ward horizontal movement.
2. Such a movement can be considered as two separate currents.
3. These currents do not oscillate in the same sense that small
waves oscillate in a lake or pond, because with each reversal 2 new set
of ripples is developed.
4. Therefore, the ripples observed are essentially “current”
ripples rather than "oscillation" ripples.
Life Cycle of a Ripple Mark: Starting from a condition of no motion,
i.e@., no current and a ripple mark or roughness of bottom in existence, the
initial movement causes a transfer of sediment on the crest from the steep
up-current side to the down-current side as a flap. This is called the
initial flap motion; its result is to alter the steep side into the gently
sloping side of the ripple. As the current increases, sand is carried past
the crest and an eddy is set up in the trough of the ripple. The ripple
now appears to be rolling along with the current. When the current reaches
its peak velocity all recognition of the ripple mark as a distinct structure
is gone; the sand is moving in long horizontal streamers or as a blanket
here called a "sheet flow." when the current velocity lessens, the process
is reversed. First, the sand appears to be rolling, then the ripples
begin to form, and the final stage is the flap motion which represents the
last movement of the current. For an instant between trough and crest
velocity the ripple is stationary; then the process is repeated in a reverse
direction. The return current and ripple movement complete one cycle of
orbital motion, i.e., one wave period.
With rather constant wave conditions, and especially with high orbital
velocities, the ripple patterns on the sea floor, down to depths of 60 feet,
have a very even and symmetrical appearance, although the ripples are des-—
troyed and reformed each time a wave passes. When wave action decreases
these same well-developed ripples, which sometimes have unbroken crest
lengths of 20 feet, begin to decay and become irregular. Concomitantly,
organisms which previously could not affect the sea floor, due to the strong
38
currents, begin to dig up the bottom and further confuse the ripple -
pattern.
WAVES AND CURRENTS
Wave Refraction
A manuscript which describes a new method for the direct construc-—
tion of way rays (orthogonals) has been completed in preliminary form.
The problem is considered using as a starting point the differential
equations which govern the ray path. The results permit a determination
of the error in the approximate formula:
Aa= AL Lari @
Lav
which is derived by Johnson, O'Brien, and Isaacs (Graphic Construction
of Wave Refraction Diagrams, H. 0. Publ. No. 605, equation (2), p. 19).
Suggestions are made for improving the accuracy and ease of construction
of rays.
Tsunami Recorder
Mr. Fulk has taken the place of Mr. Osborn. Some improvements in
instrumentation have been carried out. During this period several heavy
storms were experienced. These storms were preceded by 15-20 minute wave
activity on Scripps and Oceanside recorders. A nearby earthquake, off
San Clemente Island, did not cause any detectable tsunamis, even though
our instruments are capable of recording amplitudes down to O.l inches.
Some progress has been made in recording on magnetic tape moving at very
slow speeds for the purpose of frequency analysis. The electric filter
components of the seaborne tsunami recorder have been completed.
This research has been chiefly supported by the Office of Naval
Research.
High-Frequency Wave Recorder
A very stable high-frequency, beat-frequency oscillator operating
at 3 to 4 megacycles has been constructed for detecting and measuring
ripples produced in the shallow water in the laboratory. It is adequate
for working with waves 0.10 mm high, and tests are under way on capacitance
type pickup elements. A modification of this instrument for use at sea
is being planned.
Work on a ripple generator for the laboratory tank has commenced,
The generator will operate over a wide range of periods from about 5
seconds to 0.01 seconds.
This work has been chiefly supported by the Air Force.
Measurements of Wind Stress
Records of water slope were obtained for a number of days, including
one series of continuous records for 24 hours on 5 December, when wind
speeds reached 30 mph. During that day, detergent was added on five
occasions to still waves. At the higher speeds the effect of detergent
is to reduce the slope (and stress) by one third. Measurements of wind
speed are now made at three elevations for each five-minute period. Much
of the data have been reduced. iWork is in progress to reduce the temperature
"noise" in the measurements, which is now the limiting factor in measuring
slope at low wind speeds.
SPECIAL DEVELOPMENTS
Underwater Camera
An underwater camera, used by the Division of Submarine Geology,
was rebuilt to permit increased load on gear train required for
unorthodox requirements of external controls. Modifications were
accomplished on the external case which included replacement of worn
parts and the addition of new control glands. A flash synchronizer
was added to the camera components, which require modification of the
camera for accommodation and at the same time ete CiS cla) leads through
the case for the electrical connections.
Miscellaneous Shop Work
Continued assistance was rendered in performing miscellaneous re-
pairs to Aqua-lungs during this quarter.
PUBLICATIONS
Articles Published
Arthur, Robert S., Wave Forecasting and Hindcasting, Proc. of First
Conf. on Coastal Engineering, Long Beach, California, Oct 1950,
Ch. 8, SLO Wave Report No. 98, reprints ciigiuaiomibead as S10 Reference.
51- 56, 15 December 1951.
Munk, Walter H., Origin and Generation of Waves, Proc. of First Conf,
on Coastal Engineerjng, Long Beach, Calif., Oct 1950, Chapter 1.
SIO Wave Report No. 99, reprints distrubuted as S10 Reference 51-57,
15 Dec 1951.
Shepard, Francis P,, Sand Movement on. the Shallow Intercanyon Shelf at
Le dolla, California, BEB Tech. Memo. 26, Nov 1951, SIO Submarine Geology
Report No. 21.
Shepard, Francis P., Transportation of Sand into Deep Water, Soc. Ec.
Pal. & Min., Sp. Publ. No. 2, November 1951
40
Shepard, Francis P., and D. L. Inman, Nearshore Circulation, Proc. of
First Conf. on Coastal Engineering, Long Beach, Calif., Oct. 1950.
Chapter 5, SIO Submarine Geology Report No. 14, reprints distributed
as S10 Reference 51-52, 15 December 1951.
Article Submitted for Publication
Inman, 0. L., Measures for Describing the Size Distribution of sedinenis,
SIO Submarine Geology Report No. 15, (revised), Journ. Sed. Petr.
Mimeographed Report
Inman, J. L., Measures for Describing the Size Distribution of Sediments,
SiO Submarine Geology Report No. 15, (revised), SIO Reference 51-46,
7 November 1951.
aTatehie New York University Bi-monthly Progress Report, 4 March 1952
1.