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New Wave Overtopping Calculation Tools Launched

20 Mar 2008

Projected sea level increases, more intense rainfall and stronger wind speeds are expected to increase flood risk in the future, and understanding the level of risk from waves overtopping seawalls or other structures is a key requirement for effective management of coastal flood defences.

Seawalls range from simple earth banks through to vertical concrete walls and more complex composite structures. For each of these structures different methods have been needed to assess overtopping.

Now, by applying the latest understanding of overtopping processes acquired from recent European research projects, a team led by HR Wallingford, with partners in the Netherlands and Germany, has produced a set of web based Calculation Tools to help users determine overtopping predictions for each of these structures.

'These tools let users explore overtopping predictions for sea dikes and embankments, rubble mound structures or vertical seawalls and breakwaters, said HR Wallingford’s project manager, Dr Tim Pullen. 'By choosing the structure type and entering data for key parameters, overtopping discharges are calculated.'

Developed to accompany the new European Overtopping Manual, published in August 2007, the Calculation Tools are available at http://www.overtopping-manual.com/calculation_tool.html.

Funding for the development of both the Manual and Calculation Tools was led by the UK’s Environment Agency, with substantial support from operational agencies in the Netherlands and Germany.

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