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Coastal Wave Runup Hunt Formula Calculator

Coastal structures such as revetments, dikes, and seawalls must be designed with sufficient crest freeboard to prevent catastrophic wave overtopping.

Design significant wave height in deepwater or at the toe of the structure.

Spectral peak period of incoming storm wave spectrum.

Cotangent of slope angle (e.g. 2.0 for 1V:2H revetment, 3.0 for 1V:3H dike).

Surface reduction factor: 1.0 for smooth impermeable concrete, 0.70 - 0.90 for riprap/armor units.

Calculated Result
4.7 m

Wave Runup Elevation (Rᵤ)

Deepwater Wavelength (L₀)

99.92 m

Iribarren Number (ξ₀)

3.161

Relative Runup (Rᵤ / Hₛ)

1.879

Breaker Type

Collapsing / Surging breaker

Calculation Breakdown

  1. Deepwater WavelengthL₀ = (g · Tₚ²) / (2π) = (9.81 · 8²) / (2π) = 99.92 m
  2. Iribarren Surf Similarity Parameter (ξ₀)ξ₀ = tan(α) / √(Hₛ / L₀) = (1 / 2) / √(2.5 / 99.92) = 3.161
  3. Wave Runup Elevation (Rᵤ)Rᵤ = (Rᵤ / Hₛ) · Hₛ = 1.879 · 2.5 m = 4.7 m above still water level

Wave Runup Characteristics

Interactive visualization based on your current inputs

Value
0.01.02.03.04.0Runup Ru (m)Wave Height Hs (m)Iribarren ξ₀L₀ / 25 (m)ParameterValue

What Is the Coastal Wave Runup Hunt Formula Calculator?

Coastal structures such as revetments, dikes, and seawalls must be designed with sufficient crest freeboard to prevent catastrophic wave overtopping.

Wave runup is the maximum vertical elevation reached by waves rushing up the structure face above the design still-water level (SWL).

This calculator utilizes Hunt’s classical coastal formulation and the Iribarren surf similarity parameter (ξ0) to determine runup elevation and breaker regime.

How Does the Coastal Wave Runup Hunt Formula Calculator Work?

The calculation evaluates user-provided measurements using recognized domain equations, converts between measurement units, and adjusts for real-world efficiency factors.

Coastal Wave Runup Hunt Formula Calculator Formula & Variables

The core mathematical equation utilized by this calculator is expressed as:

L_0 = \frac{g \, T_p^2}{2\pi}, \quad \xi_0 = \frac{\tan\alpha}{\sqrt{H_s / L_0}}, \quad R_u = \gamma \, \xi_0 \, H_s

L0 is deepwater wavelength, xi0 is Iribarren surf similarity parameter, gamma is surface roughness reduction factor, and Ru is vertical runup limit.

How to Use the Coastal Wave Runup Hunt Formula Calculator

  1. Enter your primary measurements in the input fields above.
  2. Select your preferred units (e.g. metric or imperial) if applicable.
  3. Review or adjust operational assumptions such as field efficiency.
  4. Click Calculate to instantly generate the full results breakdown and visual chart.
  5. Use the Reset button at any time to clear the form and test a new scenario.

Step-by-Step Example Calculation

Rubble Mound Coastal Seawall

Input Values:

significantWaveHeightHsM:2.5
peakWavePeriodTpSec:8.0
structureSlopeCotTheta:2.0
reductionFactorGamma:0.85
Worked Steps: Determines vertical runup of 3.48 m above design still water level.

Understanding Your Result

Your calculated result represents the realistic operational capacity or baseline output under the specified conditions. Comparing theoretical and effective outputs reveals the direct impact of turns, overlap, and practical downtime.

Factors That Affect the Result

Field terrain, operator experience, equipment maintenance, overlap margin, and weather conditions can significantly influence real-world output.

When Should You Use This Calculator?

Use this calculator whenever you need quick, verified estimates for job planning, budgeting, equipment sizing, or project timelines.

Assumptions & Limitations

  • Deepwater wavelength L0 = (g · Tp²) / (2π).
  • Surf similarity Iribarren parameter ξ0 = tan(α) / √(Hs / L0) classifies breaking into spilling, plunging, or surging.
  • For breaking waves, relative runup Ru/Hs scales directly with ξ0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calculation Accuracy & Reference Note

This calculator implements verified, deterministic mathematical equations based on published standards. Results should be treated as professional engineering estimates; always verify critical operations with local equipment manuals and site inspections.

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