'Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Architecture'
Abstract
Rubble mound breakwaters are one of the most common coastal defense structures constructed around the world. Hudson (CERC, 1977; CERC, 1984), Van der Meer (1988) and Van Gent et al (2003) are the major stability formulas that are used to find the armour stone weight of rubble mound breakwaters. In the first part, a comparative study on major stability formulas is carried out to discuss the discrepancies in application of these design formulas. A computational tool Design Armour Stone (DAS) is developed within this study by defining the application limits of Van der Meer and Van Gent et al formulas tested by physical model experiments under appropriate design conditions. In the second part, design water level which is an important parameter affecting the armour stone size is investigated. Components of change in mean water level that affects design water level within economic life of a coastal structure are discussed. Effect of design water level on armour stone size of a coastal structure is analyzed by a computational tool developed in this study called Design Water Level Determination (DWLD) considering Hudson, Van der Meer and Van Gent et al approaches. Current deterministic approach is upgraded by the use of DWLD in order to find the most critical design water level in economic life of a rubble mound coastal structure. In the final part of this study, a case study is conducted in Aliaga, Izmir, Turkey. DWLD and DAS are applied to this region in order to show discussions in a real case study. The outcomes of these studies can be used as a guide in design of rubble mound breakwaters for practical purposes.M.S. - Master of Scienc
