Reconstruction of Tripoli harbour breakwater, Libya: The open solution

The main breakwater of Tripoli Harbour, Libya was severely damaged by severe storms in 1981. Instructed by the owner, then called General Ports & Lights Authority, a complete redesign of the breakwater was developed by NEDECO/De Weger in 1982. This re-design however was never implemented. In 1996 the Libyan Maritime and Ports Authority (formerly GPLA) decided an update should be made of the 1982 re-design, taking into account the further deterioration of the breakwater and possible changes in design conditions. The revision was performed by the consultant of 1982, NEDECO/De Weger, in the period of September 1998 to December 1999. This paper describes the behaviour of wave pressures and wave penetration in relation to the open solution of the 1999 re-design.