Foundation Design of Caisson Breakwaters

This document has been prepared as a part of the dissemination of results of the MCS-Project (Contract No. MAS2-CT92-0047) which was led by the University of Hannover (Coordinator: H. Oumeraci) within the 2nd Research Programme of the European Union (EU) on Marine and Science Technology. The support of the EU and the cooperation with the EU Scientific Officer Ch. Fragakis are gratefully acknowledged. The following universities and institutes contributed to this document: Delft Geotechnics, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Aalborg University, Hannover University, Danish Hydraulic Institute and University of Essen. The foundation aspects of caisson breakwaters are described. Special attention is paid to the dynamic response of the foundation to wave impacts, generation of pore pressures in the subsoil, degradation by repetitive loading and the interaction between all these aspects. Several design levels are distinguished, varying from feasibility studies to research. The feasibility and preliminary design levels are discussed extensively, including a description of the most relevant models and illustrations with the help of example structures. The document may serve as a tool for the drafting of design guidelines and as a framework for future research, for which recommendations are given.