Hazards from wave overtopping

Allsop, W. and Bruce, T. and Pullen, T.A. and van der Meer, J. (2008) Hazards from wave overtopping. In: FLOODrisk 2008, 30 September - 2 October 2008, Keble College, Oxford, UK.

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Abstract

Assessment of flood risk for coastal sites should include identifying direct hazards caused by wave overtopping as well as flood extent and volumes. Direct hazards are likely to be critical for users and property on or immediately behind the defence line. This paper describes current guidance on wave overtopping hazards. It highlights key gaps in current knowledge, thus suggesting possible ways to fill these gaps. Increasing emphasis on mitigating flood risks, on adaptation of defences, and on improving resilience of infrastructure all require better guidance for effective management of coastal defences. Reducing flood risks requires methods to warn or safeguard individuals against overtopping hazards. Owners of buildings or transport operations seldom report overtopping damage, yet site specific model tests suggest that post-overtopping wave loads can substantially exceed load levels against which typical building facades are designed. Stoppages to trains by wave overtopping confirm that these hazards can be significant, even under relatively frequent conditions. Future analysis, predictions and guidance require improvements on: a. What overtopping can be tolerated by typical defence protection? b. Safe velocities/depths of overtopping for pedestrians or vehicles? c. How do the effects of overtopping alter with distance and/or wind speeds? e. Loadings on buildings/defences subject to wave splash or spray overtopping?

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