Beach morphology behind single impermeable submerged breakwater under obliquely incident waves

Small-scale physical model tests were conducted to investigate the morphodynamics of a sandy beach of uniform grain size in the lee of single impermeable submerged breakwater under oblique incident waves. The primary objective of the tests was to assess the performance of a submerged breakwater on a littoral drift environment. Different patterns and mechanism of the currents behind this structure were identified on fixed and movable beds using a particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique. The physical model tests showed consistent results for the beach morphology and the subsequent shoreline response with the geometry and the position of the submerged breakwater under the same wave condition. Submerged breakwaters were found to perform well under oblique waves if the volume enclosed behind these structures is filled artificially. Attempts were also made to establish a relationship between shoreline evolution and relevant parameters associated with waves and structures. These preliminary results are sufficient to develop practical design guidelines for submerged breakwaters under obliquely incident waves.