Breakwater

A breakwater is a coastal structure that shelters a harbour basin or coastline from wave action, creating the calm water that berths and basins need. The two principal forms are the rubble-mound breakwater, an armoured slope of graded rock or concrete units, and the vertical or composite breakwater built from caissons or blockwork. Design balances the incident wave climate, the armour stability (Hudson or Van der Meer formulae), overtopping limits, and toe scour, drawing on PIANC, BS 6349, the Coastal Engineering Manual, and the Rock Manual.