A SIMPLE METHOD TO MEASURE INSTANTANEOUS WAVE OVERTOPPING

Wave overtopping is one of the main phenomena influencing the performance of harbor structures in protecting the sheltered area (EurOtop, 2018). Indeed, the configuration of such a kind of structure is often selected to limit the wave overtopping that could threaten the safety of activities performed in harbors (Buccino et al., 2023). Usually, the wave overtopping is quantified by referring to the mean overtopping rate, the individual wave overtopping volume, and the thickness and velocity of the overtopping jet (e.g. Schüttrumpf et al. 2002; Mares-Nasarre et al., 2019; Altomare et al., 2020). This work aims to propose a simple method to measure the instantaneous features of overtopping events. The method relies on the use of a specific experimental device designed to provide a semi-empirical model with the needed information to get the instantaneous overtopping discharge flowing at the crest of the investigated structure.