Chapter 4 

 DETERIORATION EXPERIMENT 



4.1 Overview 



The deficiencies of previous damage experiments were noted in the 

 preceding chapters. Because accurate quantification of damage is required for a risk 

 analysis, a small-scale laboratory experiment was conducted to quantify breakwater 

 deterioration. The initial experiment utilized a traditional trapezoidal multilayer rubble- 

 mound armored with uniform-sized stone which was exposed to depth-limited irregular 

 waves. The objectives of the experiment were as follows: 



a. Determine deterioration rates for the structure under long-term exposure to 

 storm conditions. 



b. Develop and evaluate methods for damage characterization. 



c. Quantify development of damage with changing storm parameters, e.g., water 

 level, wave height. 



d. Quantify profile development as related to damage. 



e. Quantify alongshore variability in damage. 



/. Evaluate and standardize methods for breakwater profiling. 



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