Breakerparameter (Iribarren number)

The Iribarren number (or breaker parameter) is an important parameter in many coastal engineering applications, especially in the interaction between a coast and a sloping structure. Basically it is the ratio between the steepness of the structure and the steepness of the wave. This calculation rule establishes the breaker parameter. This can be used to determine whether a wave will break on the slope. The parameter is also used for run-up, overtopping and reflection calculations.