Abstract:
The study examines the relationships between the beach-face slopes and sediment sizes for several coastal stretches located in Burgas Bay using limited field data, and explores the applicability of a number of previously developed formulations for local geomorphic, lithologic and wave conditions. Knowledge on the clear dependence between considered parameters is of particular importance for many engineering applications such as calculation of maximum run-up, shoreline changes, beach berm erosion potential, and assessment of coastal flood and erosion hazards. The results have shown that none of the considered empirical relationships can be used straightforwardly, although some of them might be considered for future analysis. Hence, it is necessary to enrich the database with wider ranges of beachface slopes, sediment sizes coming from areas with different wave exposure and morphodynamics state in order to elaborate a reliable native relationship suitable for local to regional specifics of the western Black Sea coast. This underpins the importance of regular coastal monitoring.