Return periods of sea storms with given characteristics

The prediction of a sea storm whose intensity exceeds fixed thresholds is very important for the design of maritime structures. Boccotti (1986,2000) obtained the analytical solution for the return period of a sea storm in which the maximum individual wave height exceeds a fixed threshold. This solution was derived by applying the Equivalent Triangular Storm (ETS) model. Arena and Barbaro (1999 b) applied the ETS model to obtain the analytical solution for the return period of a storm having at least two individual waves which are higher than a fixed level H. The return period depends upon the significant wave height distribution at the examined location and of wave statistical properties in a sea state.