Breakwater

A breakwater is a coastal defense structure built to protect an anchorage, harbor, or shoreline by reducing the energy of incoming waves. By creating a sheltered area, a breakwater allows calmer water for ships, berthing, and coastal development, and can help limit shoreline erosion and sediment transport. Breakwaters may be constructed as offshore detached structures or as nearshore barriers that are connected to the shore.

Types of breakwaters include detached breakwaters, which are located offshore and stand parallel or at an angle to the coast to enclose a protected zone; they are often built from rock or concrete and designed as rubble mound or caisson structures. Rubble mound breakwaters use rock fill with an armored face, while caisson breakwaters employ large prefabricated concrete elements. Variants exist in vertical or composite forms, chosen based on depth and wave conditions.

Design considerations involve assessing wave climate (height and period), water depth, tidal range, seabed geology, and sediment transport to balance protection with cost and durability. Materials commonly used are rock, concrete, steel, or composite armor. Key concerns include overtopping, scouring, and settlement, as well as ensuring minimal interference with navigation and coastal processes.

Impacts and maintenance include altered nearshore circulation, sedimentation patterns, and potential ecological effects. Breakwaters require ongoing maintenance to replace damaged armor, remove accumulated sediment, and manage any settlement or leakage. Environmental and safety assessments are typically part of proposed installations, and effectiveness depends on local wave conditions and long-term coastal dynamics.

History and usage: Modern breakwaters were developed during the 19th and 20th centuries with advances in hydraulic engineering. They are widely used in harbors around the world and are selected based on local wave climate, economics, and coastal geography.