A PROBABILISTIC APPROACH FOR RUN-UP ESTIMATION

This paper deals with run-up estimation. The run-up is the highest level where the water arrives on the beach. This parameter is essential for designing any coastal structure. It is a random variable related to the significant wave height of the sea state which occurs during a storm. In this paper, a probabilistic approach is proposed for run-up determination. It is based on the Equivalent Triangular Storm (ETS) model proposed by Boccotti in the eighties (see e.g. Boccotti 2000, Arena et al. 1999). This model is applied in conjunction with the empirical relation proposed by Stockdon et al. (2006). The model is used for determining the return period of a run-up level higher than a fixed threshold. Further, mean persistence of the run-up above this threshold is calculated. Application to practical situations is shown. The run-up is estimated from buoy data in Italian and in American locations. At this purpose, buoy data given by ISPRA (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale) and NDBC (National Data Buoy Center) are used.