Modeling of the wave setup inshore of an array of submerged breakwaters

A comparative assessment of available formulae for the water setup inshore of submerged breakwaters is made on the basis of a wide and varied dataset derived from basin and flume laboratory experiments. Formulae derived from a simplified view which does not account for the horizontal flow circulation provide a large overestimate _up to one order of magnitude_ of the smaller setup values. A much better overall approximation of the measured data is obtained through formulae that consider the setup as part of a complete flow description, be it partially or fully accounting for the horizontal flow motion.