New Wave Parameter for Coastal Structure Design

A new parameter representing the maximum depth-integrated wave momentum flux occurring in a wave is proposed for characterizing wave processes at coastal structures. This parameter is a physically relevant descriptor of wave forcing; and having units of force, it is useful for developing meaningful physical formulations between the waves and the process occurring at the structure. This paper overviews the development of the wave momentum flux parameter, and it presents an empirical formula was estimating the parameter for nonlinear steady waves of permanent form. New formulas for irregular wave runup on plane, impermeable slopes are given in terms of the wave momentum flux parameter as an example application.