Sea walls: a literature review

The design of sea walls for coast protection or sea defence is a particularly complex task, made more difficult by the site-specific nature of each location, the uncertainties of many aspects of the interaction
between waves and the structure, and by a lack of detailed design guidance.

This report brings together, and comments upon, research findings and possible design methods covering all main aspects of sea wall design in the UK. A major part of the review concentrates on the hydraulic aspects of design: wave run-up and overtopping; wave forces and pressures; reflection performance; and the effects of waves on armouring systems. The review also considers other aspects affecting the design of sea walls including the administrative, financial and legal framework for coastal works; design conditions for waves and water levels; coastal processes and geotechnical conditions; typical forms of construction; materials and construction practice. Each chapter includes a detailed list of the references of particular relevance. The report also includes a major bibliography of over 500 items.

The review was conducted as part of CIRIA Research Project 353. This report is intended to accompany the report on Phase 1 of that study, published as CIRIA Technical Note 125.

For further information on the technical content of this report, please contact the author, Mr N W H Allsop, Head, Coastal Structures Section at Hydraulics Research.