Physical Models of Coastal Structures As Designed and Used by the US Army Corps of Engineers

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of physical models as applied to design of coastal structures at the Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC), of the US Army Corps of Engineers. A review of similitude laws is followed by the philosophy of two- and three-dimensional stability modeling of rubble-mound coastal structures. A brief summary of the San Juan National Historic Site breakwater and revetment stability study, conducted at CERC for the Jacksonville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers, is presented as an example of a typical physical model stability study.