Underlayer 



Nondimensional 

 Damage Parameters 



S = Ae/D^nso 

 E = de/DnSO 

 C ■= dc/DnSO 



Figure 5.1. Sketch of breakwater profile with definition of damage parameters 



In this study, eroded depth and eroded length are introduced to describe the 

 shape of the eroded area. They are parameters of primary engineering interest, 

 providing a description of extent of damage normal to and along the slope, respectively. 

 The eroded depth is defined as the maximum difference between undamaged and 

 damaged profiles measured normal to the slope and is normalized as 



^nSO 



The eroded depth is useful because it gives an indication of progress toward failure, 

 particularly if failure is defined by exposure of the underlayer. The sum of eroded depth 

 and cover depth is approximately equal to the initial cover layer thickness f„ 



f, = (£ + O D„,, (5.3) 



84 



