Laboratory experiments on run-up and force of solitary waves

•The run-up and wave pressure measured by a series of laboratory experiments.•The wave profile and characteristics of tsunami-like waves were studied•A reasonable agreement was observed in comparison between laboratory measurements and the Goda Pressure Formula.•Laboratory measured and estimated wave force for square and cylinder-types of coastal structures.

In this study, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the run-up heights on plane slopes and wave pressures on vertical structures resulting from solitary waves, which represent the characteristics of tsunamis well. The measured run-up heights were compared with predictions of available run-up formulas. Pressure transducers were used to measure time histories of wave pressure according to wave height and thus to record pressure distributions in laboratory experiments. The force of each incident solitary wave was estimated by integrating pressure distributions, for both square and cylindrical columns. Experimental measurements agreed well with the predictions of existing empirical formulas frequently used in design of coastal structures.