Human stability with respect to overtopping flow on the breakwater

Abstract

Recently, there have been numerous fatal accidents resulting from overtopping waves on a breakwater. To secure safety in the coastal area, it is necessary to prepare an accident prevention plan by applying evaluation criteria to judge the risk of human falling due to overtopping waves. The objective of this study is to provide supporting documentation for the breakwater entrance control plan to prevent the falling accident into the sea. To achieve this goal, the hydraulic experiment was performed with children and adults regarding the human stability against overtopping flow on a breakwater. From the experiment resultant analysis, evaluation criteria to judge the risk of human falling due to overtopping waves are proposed to prevent fatal accidents on a breakwater. The results of the experiment were analyzed to propose human stability evaluation criteria for tiptoe lifting limiting state (Instability 1) and toppling limiting state (Instability 2) on a breakwater. The conditions (water depth and flow velocity) for human stability failure by overtopping flow were evaluated as lower than those in the general steady flow. The evaluation criteria for human stability on a breakwater with respect to Instability 1 and Instability 2 were proposed. © Research India Publications.