SURCHARGE LOAD ACTING ON THE BLOCK IN THE BOTTOM-LAYER OF BREAKWATER COVERED WITH WAVE-DISSIPATING CONCRETE BLOCKS

Abstract

 A structural performance evaluation method for wave-dissipating concrete blocks has not yet been established. In this study, surcharge load acting on the block sitting in the bottom-layer of breakwater covered with wave-dissipating concrete blocks was examined through model experiments against permanent action and variable wave action in order to clarify the characteristics of surcharge load and to investigate the possibility of the formulation of surcharge load. Based on the results of model experiments, surcharge load by permanent action could be approximated by a Gamma distribution. And, surcharge load by wave action was affected by wave overtopping. The formula for estimating surcharge load by permanent action and wave action were proposed.