Refraction Coefficient At Breaker Line Given Total Littoral Transport In Breaker Zone In M3 Per Year Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ K_r = \sqrt{\frac{S'}{(0.44 \times 10^6) \times H_o^2 \times C_o \times \sin(\phi_{br}) \times \cos(\phi_{br})}} \]

Total Littoral Transport (S'):

m³/year

Wave Height in Deep Water (Hₒ):

Deepwater Wave Celerity (Cₒ):

m/s

Angle of Wave Incidence (φ₆ᵣ):

degrees

Refraction Coefficient (Kᵣ):

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1. What is the Refraction Coefficient?

The Refraction Coefficient (Kᵣ) quantifies how waves change direction and height as they approach shallow water from deep water due to refraction. It's a crucial parameter in coastal engineering for understanding wave behavior near shorelines.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ K_r = \sqrt{\frac{S'}{(0.44 \times 10^6) \times H_o^2 \times C_o \times \sin(\phi_{br}) \times \cos(\phi_{br})}} \]

Where:

\( K_r \) — Refraction Coefficient
\( S' \) — Total Littoral Transport (m³/year)
\( H_o \) — Wave Height in Deep Water (m)
\( C_o \) — Deepwater Wave Celerity (m/s)
\( \phi_{br} \) — Angle of Wave Incidence (degrees)

Explanation: The formula calculates the refraction coefficient based on littoral transport and wave characteristics, accounting for how waves bend as they approach the shoreline.

3. Importance of Refraction Coefficient Calculation

Details: Accurate refraction coefficient calculation is essential for coastal engineering projects, shoreline management, sediment transport studies, and predicting coastal erosion patterns.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total littoral transport in m³/year, wave height in meters, wave celerity in m/s, and wave incidence angle in degrees. All values must be positive and valid.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is littoral transport?
A: Littoral transport refers to the movement of sediments along the shoreline caused by wave action and currents in the coastal zone.

Q2: Why is wave refraction important?
A: Wave refraction affects wave energy distribution along the coast, influencing erosion patterns, sediment transport, and coastal morphology.

Q3: What are typical values for refraction coefficient?
A: Refraction coefficient values typically range from 0.5 to 1.5, with values less than 1 indicating wave height reduction due to refraction.

Q4: How does wave angle affect refraction?
A: Waves approaching at oblique angles experience more significant refraction than waves approaching perpendicular to the shoreline.

Q5: What are the limitations of this calculation?
A: This calculation assumes simplified conditions and may not account for complex bathymetry, wave-current interactions, or other coastal processes.