ABSTRACT
In coastal design analytical, empirical and numerical methods are used to compute the hydraulic and structural performance of a coastal structure. These involve a certain degree of simplification of the real situation. Furthermore, there are no typical construction patterns that are used; the design of structures is ever changing. Each construction is unique in the fact that it is designed according to the local boundary conditions (e.g. bathymetry, wave climate, available material). Therefore, it is also very difficult to transfer design-/model experiences from one construction to another. If earlier design-/model experience is available for the structure and if the constructions do not deviate greatly in structural and hydraulic boundary conditions, analytical and numerical methods are usually regarded as sufficient in the design. However, the further the structure or design conditions depart from previous experience or from the idealised configurations on which the empirical design methods are based, the larger the uncertainties associated with using these methods. For large and complex hydraulic structures, physical models therefore become necessary in order to achieve a final design that is sufficiently accurate and economically optimised.
