FIELD ASSESSMENT OF FLOATING TIRE BREAKWATER 

 Craig T. Bishop 



Abstract 



A field monitoring program of a Goodyear floating tire 

 breakwater (FTB) was undertaken at La Salle Park, Burlington, Ontario 

 during 1981 and 1982. Incident and transmitted waves were measured with 

 underwater pressure transducers. The resulting wave height transmission 

 data compares favourably with previous results from model studies. 

 Mooring loads on some anchor lines were measured with two electronic and 

 four mechanical gauges. The resulting peak load data, corresponding to 

 incident wave heights up to 0.65 m, is in good agreement with previous 

 results from prototype- scale model studies. 



I ntroduction 



Floating Tire Breakwaters (FTBs) originated in 1963 and are 

 used mainly to provide wave protection at limited-fetch locations. 

 Until recently, design information was only available from 

 two-dimensional model tests. A large FTB of the Goodyear design, 

 comprising 35,000 car tires, was constructed in Burlington, Ontario, in 

 the spring of 1981. Its proximity to the National Water Research 

 Institute (NWRI) provided an excellent opportunity to collect prototype 

 performance data. Accordingly, a field monitoring program was initiated 

 to measure wave transmission and mooring force characteristics. The 

 resulting prototype design data is presented. 



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