In the present paper, an improved volume of fluid (YOF) technique has been used to test numerical simulation of breaking waves against vertical wall seated on a structural foundation. Laitone's second order solitary wave theory is used as the initial conditions. When no foundation is present, the run up of a solitary wave on a vertical wall for a range of H/d agrees well with the experimental data. The phenomena of wave breaking, such as wave steepening, overturning and formation of bores, have been successfully simulated by an improved VOF method. Very high intensity shock pressure and wave impact force on the vertical wall are also obtained.
Wave breaking and wave deformation after breaking are of fundamental importance in the field of coastal engineering. When water wave breaks against a vertical wall, such as breakwater on its foundation, high intensity shock pressure may occur. It is very important to know the general properties of the shock pressure and to predict the wave impact force on these structures. For reason of complexity of wave breaking phenomena, and in addition, its interaction with the vertical wall, the methods used for engineering applications are mostly based on model test or field observation. For example, the DUT's method recommended by the Chinese Specification for the Design of Harbor Engineering (1987); Minikin's method (1963) widely accepted in Europe and North America; and Goda's method (1974) adopted by Design Standard for Harbor Structures in Japan et al. The results exhibit different characteristics of these predictive methods. In order to interpret the characteristics of breaking wave phenomena and to properly evaluate the breaking wave force on the structures, a theoretical tool is necessary which can cope with the breaking wave as much as possible.
