Selection of a Design Wave Height for Coastal Engineering

This chapter reviews the most commonly used distribution functions for external wave analysis to estimate the sea state at extended return periods. Distribution functions included are the Fisher-Tippett Types I and II and the Weibull distribution. Methods of determining the distribution function providing the best fit to a given data set are included. Sources of data, selection of storm events within the data set, and final selection of a design wave height are discussed.