Ripken, John F.2011-07-112011-07-111960-08https://hdl.handle.net/11299/108813Inherent in Man's use of large bodies of water is the need for sheltered area protected from destructive force of gravity waves. In natural harbors this protection is provided by structures which absorb or reflect the energy of these waves. The structures vary from long sloping beaches of fine sand to vertical cliffs of massive rock. The sloping beaches of fine sand to vertical cliffs of massive rock. The sloping beach largely dissipates the wave energy in viscous fluid action whereas the bluff structure serves mainly to reflect the wave energy back toward the source.en-USReport