Development of a Partial Coefficient System for the Design of Rubble Mound Breakwaters: PIANC - Working Group 12, Subgroup F

Subgroup F is the last of the subgroups formed under the PIANC II Working Group 12 on Rubble Mound Structures. The terms of reference of subgroup F are to propose safety guidelines for rubble mound breakwaters including evaluation of the safety levels inherent in conventionally designed existing structures. The work of the former subgroups A, B, C. D and E provides the basis for the handling of a number of the central problems related to the development of safety guidelines. The Working Group 12 (WG12) decided prior to the start of subgroup F that the safety guidelines should be based on the partial coefficient system which is simple to apply and well known from other fields of civil engineering. This report presents a proposal for safety guidelines supported by a presentation of the main problems which have been considered together with the outcome of the related calculations. The limitations and possible future expansion of the guidelines are discussed. Examples of the use of the guidelines are given and compared to conventional design practice. Moreover, it is discussed how the guidelines can be used in cases where designs are based also on model tests.