Redution of wave by fields of reef balls on a fringing reef

Abstract

The paper investigates how effectively Reef Balls reduce wave on a fringing reef. Experiments on physical models were conducted with three field layouts of the Reef Balls including PA1 - three segments (like breakwaters) paralell to the coast, PA2 - similar to PA1 with 2 additional segments placed behind the first three ones, PA3 - similar to PA2 with two segments normal to the coast (like groynes). Measurements reveal that Reef Balls significantly reduce wave height. In general, layout PA3 shows the most rapid decay of wave over its configuration.