Effects of submerged berms on the stability of conventional rubble mound breakwaters
Berms deployed at the toe of conventional breakwaters may be needed to reduce bottom settlements and to limit scour in front of the structure due to coastal currents. In the mean time, they may be effective in increasing the stability of the armor layer and also in minimizing the wave overtopping discharge compared to straight sloped conventional breakwaters without a berm. This research aims to provide a new design criterion for the armor layer of conventional breakwaters with submerged berms marked by small thickness compared to water depth.