Author : Apurva M. Kudale, V. S. Sohoni, B. M. Patil and A. V. Mahalingaiah

Harbour is defined as a place on a body of water that provides protection for the variety of ships from the coastal environmental parameters like waves, wind, tides and currents etc. Breakwaters are typically required for the harbours to provide desired tranquillity and protection for the ships approaching and mooring in the harbour. The harbour layout, the length and alignment of protective breakwater are decided through hydraulic model studies. Flexible rubblemound breakwater is the most commonly used type of breakwater. The hydraulic design of the breakwater structure is evolved through empirical methods and hydraulic model tests. Present methodology and model techniques used to design the cross-sections of rubblemound breakwaters are reviewed and illustrated with a case study of design of breakwaters for fisheries harbour. Suggestions are given to improve and optimize the design. Provision of a wider toe-berm and use of armour units with higher stability, significantly reduces the cost of rubblemound breakwater.

Keywords: Coastal Harbours, Rubblemound Breakwaters, Wave Tranquility, Armour Units, Hydraulic Stability.

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.8, No.3 (May/June 2018)