A field-based laser scanner system is developed to measure run-up and overtopping under normal and oblique wave attack.
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Measured run-up heights, depths and front velocities agree well with observed values.
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Calculated wave overtopping discharges agree well with commonly used overtopping equations.
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Estimates of the wave peak period and angle of incidence at the toe of a structure can be obtained.
Abstract
Wave overtopping is typically measured in the field using overtopping tanks. In this paper, an alternative system is developed that uses two laser scanners. The system also measures wave run-up, as well as run-up depths and velocities, both during perpendicular and oblique waves on a dike in the field. The paper considers the first calibration tests with the system in the field, with perpendicular and oblique waves generated by the wave run-up simulator on a grass dike slope. Furthermore, simulations are performed with the numerical wave model SWASH, to gain more insight in the potential performance of the system during actual oblique wave attack during a storm. The run-up is determined from the measured elevation and reflection intensity, which agrees well with the visually observed run-up. Run-up depths and front velocities can be determined accurately as well. The (virtual) wave overtopping discharge can be calculated from the data, which agrees well with the most commonly used overtopping equations for perpendicularly incident waves. Finally, from the simulated run-up data of obliquely incident waves, it is concluded that an estimate can be obtained of the incident wave period and wave angle of incidence at the toe of the structure.
