Wave overtopping at near-vertical seawalls: Influence of foreshore evolution during storms

This work presents the results of an investigation on how wave overtopping at a near-vertical seawall back sandy foreshore is influenced by sequences erosive storms. The experiments were carried out in Large Wave Flume (GWK) Leibniz University, Hannover (Germany). tested layout consisted 10/1 and with initial 1/15 slope. Three idealised storms simulated. Within each storm both incident conditions still water level varied time to represent high low tide conditions. Each sequence started from configuration beach was not restored between measurements included waves, profile, volumes. profile measured after sea state tested. stage significantly bed changes. linked evolution beach. Measurements showed that barred developed quickly start sequence, scour toe structure during conditions, while accretion or partial backfilling Due these processes, position shown be important factor determining volume. Remarkably, when weaker followed more energetic one, nearly same recorded. explained erosion, leading increased depths heights structure. finding allows quantify explain variability following one another intervals shorter than recovery foreshore.