scholarly journals FLOATING BREAKWATER RESPONSE TO WAVE ACTION

1988 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Isaacson ◽  
Ronald Byres
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Diffraction Theory ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Mooring Forces ◽  
Wave Drift Forces ◽  
Floating Breakwaters ◽  
Incident Waves

The present paper describes a study carried out to investigate floating breakwater behavior in waves. Components of the study include a field survey of floating breakwaters in British Columbia, Canada, the development of a numerical model of breakwater behavior and the experimental testing of a particular breakwater design. The numerical model has been developed to provide breakwater motions, transmission coefficients and mooring forces. The model combines linear diffraction theory for obliquely incident waves, a mooring analysis, the inclusion of viscous damping coefficients obtained from experimental or field data, and the inclusion of drag and wave drift forces for use in the static analysis of the moorings. The experiments were carried out with normally incident regular waves of different heights and periods. Preliminary results indicate that the numerical model should prove to be a useful tool in floating breakwater design.

Wave Attenuation Performance of Floating Breakwater Needs to be Evaluated by Using Irregular Waves

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien Ming Wang ◽  
Huu Phu Nguyen ◽  
Jeong Cheol Park ◽  
Mengmeng Han ◽  
Nagi abdussamie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Coefficient ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Wave Spectrum ◽  
Ocean Waves ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

<p>Floating breakwaters have been used to protect shorelines, marinas, very large floating structures, dockyards, fish farms, harbours and ports from harsh wave environments. A floating breakwater outperforms its bottom-founded counterpart with respect to its environmental friendliness, cost-effectiveness in relatively deep waters or soft seabed conditions, flexibility for expansion and downsizing and its mobility to be towed away. The effectiveness of a floating breakwater design is assessed by its wave attenuation performance that is measured by the wave transmission coefficient (i.e., the ratio of the transmitted wave height to the incident wave height or the ratio of the transmitted wave energy to the incident wave energy). In some current design guidelines for floating breakwaters, the transmission coefficient is estimated based on the assumption that the realistic ocean waves may be represented by regular waves that are characterized by the significant wave period and wave height of the wave spectrum. There is no doubt that the use of regular waves is simple for practicing engineers designing floating breakwaters. However, the validity and accuracy of using regular waves in the evaluation of wave attenuation performance of floating breakwaters have not been thoroughly discussed in the open literature. This study examines the wave transmission coefficients of floating breakwaters by performing hydrodynamic analysis of some large floating breakwaters in ocean waves modelled as regular waves as well as irregular waves described by a wave spectrum such as the Bretschneider spectrum. The formulation of the governing fluid motion and boundary conditions are based on classical linear hydrodynamic theory. The floating breakwater is assumed to take the shape of a long rectangular box modelled by the Mindlin thick plate theory. The finite element – boundary element method was employed to solve the fluid-structure interaction problem. By considering heave-only floating box-type breakwaters of 200m and 500m in length, it is found that the transmission coefficients obtained by using the regular wave model may be smaller (or larger) than that obtained by using the irregular wave model by up to 55% (or 40%). These significant differences in the transmission coefficient estimated by using regular and irregular waves indicate that simplifying assumption of realistic ocean waves as regular waves leads to significant over/underprediction of wave attenuation performance of floating breakwaters. Thus, when designing floating breakwaters, the ocean waves have to be treated as irregular waves modelled by a wave spectrum that best describes the wave condition at the site. This conclusion is expected to motivate a revision of design guidelines for floating breakwaters for better prediction of wave attenuation performance. Also, it is expected to affect how one carries out experiments on floating breakwaters in a wave basin to measure the wave transmission coefficients.</p>

scholarly journals FLOATING BREAKWATERS

1968 ◽  
Vol 1 (11) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Brebner ◽  
A.O. Ofuya
Keyword(s):  
Incident Wave ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Large Mass ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Wave Channel ◽  
Mooring Forces ◽  
Motion Characteristics ◽  
Floating Breakwaters ◽  
Incident Waves

The general objective of this investigation is to determine the wave damping characteristics of model floating breakwaters designed to reduce incident wave heights by processes of wave reflection, wave interference, forced instability of incident waves and turbulence action. Of most interest is the attempt to determine the method and the extent to which the requirement of large mass may be usefully replaced by large moment of inertia of mass in the development of floating breakwaters. Experiments are conducted in a two-dimensional wave channel. Reflection coefficients, transmission coefficients, breakwater motions and mooring forces are determined by experiments. It is found that the range of effectiveness in wave attenuation of floating breakwaters depends on several factors including breakwater design, incident wave properties, depth of water and the motion characteristics of the structures, it is remarkable that the 'A' Frame Breakwater exemplifies that the range of effectiveness of a floating breakwater can be increased by a large increase of its radius of gyration involving only a slight increase of its mass. The mooring forces are of reasonable magnitude. Experimental measurements and observations indicate that the 'A' Frame Breakwater is stable throughout the range of model tests.

An Experimental Study of Effects of Water Depth on Wave Scattering and Motion Responses of a Moored Floating Breakwater in Regular Waves

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Huang ◽  
Wenbin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Reflection And Transmission ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Wave Flume ◽  
Motion Responses ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

Due to the mobility and low costs, floating breakwaters have been frequently considered as alternatives for protecting marinas and harbors from wave attacks. Main advantages of using floating breakwaters include (i) the exchange of water between a harbor and ocean, and (ii) an adjustable elevation varying with tidal levels. When floating breakwaters are used in shallow water environments (during low tides), the presence of seabed may affect the dynamics of the floating breakwaters. In the present study, a series of experiments were carried out in a wave flume of 1.5m wide and 45m long to study the effects of water depth on the performance of a moored floating breakwater. An inertial measurement unit mounted on the breakwater measures the motion responses. The wave reflection and transmission coefficients and the responses of the breakwater to regular waves are presented for four difference water depths.

Modelling of a circular-section floating breakwater

1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 714-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Isaacson ◽  
Neal Whiteside ◽  
Robert Gardiner ◽  
Duncan Hay
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Circular Cross Section ◽  
Diffraction Theory ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Coastal Structures ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Rectangular Section ◽  
Circular Section ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

The physical and numerical modelling of a circular cross-section floating breakwater subjected to normal and obliquely incident regular waves is described. The transmission coefficient, breakwater motions, and mooring line forces were measured in two- and three-dimensional laboratory tests for a range of wave conditions and breakwater parameters. The experimental results are compared with results of a numerical model based on linear two-dimensional wave diffraction theory. The performance of the breakwater is summarized and compared with that of a rectangular-section breakwater. Possible modifications to improve the breakwater's performance characteristics are considered. Key words: coastal structures, floating breakwaters, hydrodynamics, moorings, waves.

scholarly journals Parametric Comparison of Rectangular and Circular Pontoons Performance as Floating Breakwater Numerically

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (s1) ◽  
pp. 94-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyyed Mohammad Reza Tabatabaei ◽  
Hamid Zeraatgar
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Diffraction Theory ◽  
Mooring Line ◽  
Numerical Comparison ◽  
Dimensional Parameter ◽  
Hydrodynamic Analysis ◽  
Circular Section ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

Abstract Rectangular and circular pontoons are one of the most widely cross-sections used as floating breakwaters (FB). Although, there are several articles on comparison of behavior of rectangular and circular floating breakwaters however, the Authors try to show some details of difference between these two types where they have not been addressed before. To do so, transmission coefficient (Ct), as a measure of merit, of similar rectangular and circular sections is numerically compared. A computer code is developed for two-dimensional hydrodynamic analysis of floating breakwater based on diffraction theory in frequency domain in regular waves with any configuration of mooring line. The numerical method is the finite element method and validated by comparing with experimental and numerical results. Three types of rectangular sections are defined equivalent to circular section and a numerical comparison is made between 100 similar sections. The Ct versus wave frequency has been considered in detail and three new points called LMinF, LMaxF and LMaxCt are introduced. It has been shown that LMinF and LMaxF of circular section are greater and LMaxCt is much smaller than equivalent rectangular section. The LMaxCt of both sections are very dependent to new non-dimensional parameter B/D (Breadth/Draft). Although, rectangular sections are more common for floating breakwater, however the results of this study show that possibility of using circular sections must be also considered.

scholarly journals Hydrodynamic Performance of a Multi-Module Three-Cylinder Floating Breakwater System under the Influence of Reefs: A 3D Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1364
Author(s):  
Jianting Guo ◽  
Yongbin Zhang ◽  
Chunyan Ji ◽  
Xiangqian Bian ◽  
Sheng Xu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Large Wave ◽  
Motion Responses ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Mooring Forces ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

As the technical and theoretical research of floating breakwaters is becoming increasingly mature, the floating breakwaters are now being utilized, especially in offshore reefs. Therefore, it is of practical significance to study the hydrodynamic performance of a multi-module floating breakwater system under the influence of reefs. In this study, a 3D model experiment was carried out on a system consisting of eight three-cylinder floating breakwater modules under the influence of reefs. A wave attenuation mesh cage was incorporated at the bottom of the model. The floating breakwater system was slack-moored in its equilibrium position, and each module was connected by elastic connectors. The reefs were modeled on a bathymetric map of existing reefs in the East China Sea. In this experiment, the wave transmission coefficients, motion responses, and mooring forces of the floating breakwater system were measured. The results showed that the three-cylinder floating breakwater in the beam waves (β = 90°) has excellent wave attenuating performance under the influence of reefs, especially for short-period waves. However, under the influence of the reef reflection wave and the shallow water effect, the motion responses in the three main stress directions of the floating breakwater were large, and there was some surge and pitch motion. Under the influence of the aggregation and superposition of reflected waves on both sides of the reefs, the peak mooring forces in the middle position of the floating breakwater system were the largest at large wave height. The three-cylinder floating breakwater exhibited satisfactory hydrodynamic performance under the influence of reefs. It has broad application prospects in offshore reefs.

scholarly journals TRANSMISSION OF REGULAR WAVES PAST FLOATING PLATES

1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Uygur Sendil ◽  
W.H. Graf
Keyword(s):  
Water Depth ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Wave Theory ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Linear Wave ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Transmission Coefficients ◽  
Wave Flume ◽  
Wave Heights ◽  
Incident Waves

Theoretical solutions for the transmission beyond and reflection of waves from fixed and floating plates are based upon linear wave theory, as put forth by John (1949), and Stoker (1957), according to which the flow is irrotational, the fluid is incompressible and frictionless, and the waves are of small amplitude. The resulting theoretical relations are rather complicated, and furthermore, it is assumed that the water depth is very small in comparison to the wave length. Wave transmissions beyond floating horizontal plates are studied in a laboratory wave flume. Regular (harmonic) waves of different heights and periods are generated. The experiments are carried out over a range of wave heights from 0.21 to 8.17 cm (0.007 to 0.268 ft), and wave periods from 0.60 to 4.00 seconds in water depth of 15.2, 30.5, and 45.7 cm (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ft). Floating plates of 61, 91 and 122 cm (2, 3 and 4 ft) long were used. From the analyses of regular waves it was found that: (1) the transmission coefficients, H /H , obtained from the experiments are usually less than those obtained from the theory. This is due to the energy dissipation by the plate, which is not considered in the theory. (2) John's (1949) theory predicts the transmission coefficients, H /H , reasonably well for a floating plywood plate, moored to the bottom and under the action of non-breaking incident waves of finite amplitude. (3) a floating plate is less effective in damping the incident waves than a fixed plate of the same length.

Dynamics of Cage Floating Breakwater

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (4) ◽  
pp. 331-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Murali ◽  
S. S. Amer ◽  
J. S. Mani
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
Body Motion ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Random Wave ◽  
Relative Width ◽  
Large Wave ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Mooring Forces ◽  
Floating Breakwaters

Floating breakwaters have potential applications in protecting minor ports and harbors such as fisheries and recreational harbors, where-in stringent tranquillity requirements are not warranted. In field applications of the existing floating breakwaters, limitations are imposed due to their large relative width (ratio between breakwater width and wave length) requirements to achieve desirable tranquillity level. This relative width requirement is greater than 0.3 for the existing floating breakwaters. To overcome the above drawback associated with the existing system a new configuration for a floating breakwater is derived, which could yield the desired performance with minimum relative width requirement. The floating breakwater comprises of two pontoons rigidly connected together and each of the pontoons having a row of cylinders attached beneath, for improved performance characteristics. The laboratory tests were conducted in both regular and random wave flumes to study the dynamic behavior of the breakwater. Transmission and reflection coefficients, water surface elevations and velocities inside the cage like area provided in between the pontoons, rigid body motions floating breakwater and mooring forces were studied under regular and random waves and under the regular waves followed by a uniform current. The results proved the suitability of the floating breakwater to the field conditions even for large wave periods. In addition the variations in water particle kinematics, rigid body motion and mooring forces show nominal magnitudes when compared to the existing systems indicating the rigidness of the breakwater.

scholarly journals Development of a wave-current numerical model using Stokes 2nd Order Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1 (Nov)) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Catherine Lloyd ◽  
Tim O'Doherty ◽  
Allan Mason-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Model ◽  
Experimental Testing ◽  
Order Theory ◽  
Multiphase Model ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Regular Waves ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Testing Facility ◽  
Uniform Current ◽  
Current Characteristics

The optimisation of a Numerical Wave Tank is proposed to accurately model the sub surface conditions generated by regular waves superimposed on a uniform current velocity. ANSYS CFX 18.0 was used to develop a homogenous multiphase model with volume fractions to define the different phase regions. By applying CFX Expression Language at the inlet of the model, Stokes 2nd Order Theory was used to define the upstream wave and current characteristics. Horizontal and vertical velocity components, as well as surface elevation of the numerical model were compared against theoretical and experimental wave data for 3 different wave characteristics in 2 different water depths. The comparison highlighted the numerical homogeneity between the theoretical and experimental data. Therefore, this study has shown that the modelling procedure used can accurately replicate experimental testing facility flow conditions, providing a potential substitute to experimental flume or tank testing.

scholarly journals Representative Transmission Coefficient for Evaluating the Wave Attenuation Performance of 3D Floating Breakwaters in Regular and Irregular Waves

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 388
Author(s):  
Huu Phu Nguyen ◽  
Jeong Cheol Park ◽  
Mengmeng Han ◽  
Chien Ming Wang ◽  
Nagi Abdussamie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Coefficient ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Transmitted Wave ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Hydrodynamic Analysis ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Floating Breakwater ◽  
Floating Breakwaters ◽  
Evaluation Approaches

Wave attenuation performance is the prime consideration when designing any floating breakwater. For a 2D hydrodynamic analysis of a floating breakwater, the wave attenuation performance is evaluated by the transmission coefficient, which is defined as the ratio between the transmitted wave height and the incident wave height. For a 3D breakwater, some researchers still adopted this evaluation approach with the transmitted wave height taken at a surface point, while others used the mean transmission coefficient within a surface area. This paper aims to first examine the rationality of these two evaluation approaches via verified numerical simulations of 3D heave-only floating breakwaters in regular and irregular waves. A new index—a representative transmission coefficient—is then presented for one to easily compare the wave attenuation performances of different 3D floating breakwater designs.

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