Report on hazard analysis

Abstract

Prediction of wave overtopping discharges for seawalls / breakwaters have improved significantly over the last 25 years, but processes associated with overtopping hazards to people on or close behind seawalls are not yet well understood. Despite research advances in recent years, there remain important gaps in knowledge and disagreements over safe levels of wave overtopping and the composition and spatial extent of overtopping. Similarly, there are few data on the direct effects of overtopping flows. This report summarises analysis developed within the EC CLASH project on the hazards arising from wave overtopping. It identifies sources of information on overtopping hazards, and discusses the basis for assessing the consequences of overtopping. The report reviews the state of guidance in Europe, describes instances of hazard, and draws potential guidance on limits to discharge, volume, velocity and depth. The report also draws supplementary data from parallel studies on overtopping and its effects.Clas