Floating forest: A novel breakwater-windbreak structure against wind and wave hazards

Abstract

A novel floating breakwater-windbreak structure (floating forest) has been designed for the protection of vulnerable coastal areas from extreme wind and wave loadings during storm conditions. The modular arch-shaped concrete structure is positioned perpendicularly to the direction of the prevailing wave and wind. The structure below the water surface acts as a porous breakwater with wave scattering capability. An array of tubular columns on the sloping deck of the breakwater act as an artificial forest-type windbreak. A feasibility study involving hydrodynamic and aerodynamic analyses has been performed, focusing on its capability in reducing wave heights and wind speeds in the lee side. The study shows that the proposed 1 km long floating forest is able to shelter a lee area that stretches up to 600 m, with 40%–60% wave energy reduction and 10%–80% peak wind speed reduction.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

floating structure / breakwater / windbreak / hydrodynamic / CFD

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by ARC Discovery Project Grant DP170104546.

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2021 Higher Education Press 2021.