Accounting for random wave run-up in overtopping predictions

The paper describes a method for predicting the rates of overtopping of seawalls by random waves. The procedure links the overtopping rate to information on wave run-up. Output from the procedure is compared with physical model data not used in its original calibration, and with the results from two other methods commonly employed for predicting overtopping discharges. The output is shown to be in good agreement with the new data, despite the fact that these measurements cover a much wider range of incident wave steepnesses and storm durations than those used in the original calibration. The method is also shown to predict lower overtopping rates than the two alternative procedures for both low and high relative seawall freeboards, together with similar or higher overtopping rates in the middle range of freeboards for which most physical model data are available.