A methodology to assess the risk associated with wave overtopping in port areas is presented.
The methodology is implemented in the HIDRALERTA system, which is an integrated system
for port and coastal engineering modelling developed in a GIS commercial software. The
evaluation of mean overtopping discharge per unit length of the structure crest is performed
by using tools based on neural network analysis. To assess the risk of overtopping, the
combination of the probability of occurrence of an event of wave overtopping and of the
consequences of that occurrence is considered. The paper illustrates the application of this
methodology to several structures along Praia da Vitória port and bay, at the Terceira Island,
Azores, Portugal, considering sea-wave conditions predicted for the period between 2008 and
2012 and taking into account wind effect, as well as tide level influence on sea-wave
propagation.