Performance Evaluation of Pile-Restrained Floating Breakwater using the Multi-domain Boundary Element Method

Abstract

This study investigates wave interactions with different configurations of pile-restrained floating breakwater (T-shaped, ⊥-shaped, Π-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, and rectangular) with the multi-domain boundary element method. The analysis incorporates horizontal and vertical stratification in floating structures. Key scattering factors, including reflection, transmission, and dissipation coefficients, are evaluated to determine the influences of the structural and geometric parameters on floating breakwater performance. Additionally, this study examines the horizontal wave forces exerted on the seaward and leeward sides of the structures. Model convergence is validated, and the accuracy of the computational results is confirmed by comparing the wave reflection and transmission coefficient for rectangular floating pontoon and stratified submerged porous box. Further validation is provided by comparing the numerical results for an H-shaped model with experimental data obtained from wave flume testing. Findings indicate that the H-type breakwater demonstrates superior performance in deep-water environments, whereas the ⊥-type structure exhibits greater wave energy transmission and reflection in shallow-water environments. Moreover, the H-type configuration experiences the highest wave forces, whereas the ⊥-type structure experiences the least. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the design and analysis of floating breakwaters in offshore environments.

Keywords

Pile-restrained breakwater / Multi-Domain boundary element method (MDBEM) / Reflection coefficient / Wave force coefficient

References

[1] Abul-AzmAG, GesrahaMR. Approximation to the hydrodynamics of floating pontoons under oblique waves. Ocean Engineering, 2000, 27(4): 365-384

[2] BeheraH, GhoshS. Oblique wave trapping by a surface-piercing flexible porous barrier in the presence of step-type bottoms. Journal of Marine Science and Application, 2019, 18: 433-443

[3] Bottin RobertRJr, Turner KentASeabrook lock complex, lake pontchartrain, LA: Design for wave protection at lock entrance: Hydraulic model investigation, 1980

[4] BrebbiaCA, DominguezJBoundary elements: an introductory course, 1992, Surrey. WIT Press.

[5] CarrJH. Mobile breakwater. Coastal Engineering Proceedings, 1951, 1225

[6] ChoiYR, HongSY, ChoiHS. An analysis of second-order wave forces on floating bodies by using a higher-order boundary element method. Coastal Engineering, 2000, 28(1): 117-138

[7] ChwangAT, ChanAT. Interaction between porous media and wave motion. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 1998, 30(1): 53-84

[8] DaiJ, WangCM, UtsunomiyaT, DuanW. Review of recent research and developments on floating breakwaters. Ocean Engineering, 2018, 158: 132-151

[9] DengZ, WangL, ZhaoX, HuangZ. Hydrodynamic performances of a T-shaped floating breakwater. Applied Ocean Research, 2019, 82: 325-336

[10] DuanW, XuS, XuQ, ErtekinRC, MaS. Performance of an F-type floating breakwater: A numerical and experimental study. Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment, 2016, 231(2): 583-599

[11] EsmaeelpourK, ShafaghatR, AlamianR, BayaniR. Numerical study of various geometries of breakwaters for the installation of floating wind turbines. Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, 2016, 13: 27-37

[12] GesrahaMR. Analysis of Π shaped floating breakwater in oblique waves: I. Impervious rigid wave boards. Applied Ocean Research, 2006, 28: 327-338

[13] GodaY, SuzukiY. Estimation of incident and reflected waves in random wave experiments. Coastal Engineering, 1976828845

[14] GünaydinK, KabdasliMS. Performance of solid and perforated U-type breakwaters under regular and irregular waves. Ocean Engineering, 2004, 31: 1377-1405

[15] GünaydinK, KabdasliMS. Investigation of Π-type breakwaters performance under regular and irregular waves. Ocean Engineering, 2007, 34: 1028-1043

[16] HalesLZFloating Breakwaters: State-of-the-Art Literature Review, 1981

[17] HassanpourN, LaraJL, VicinanzaD, ContestabileP. Laboratory experiments on transforming emerged into submerged breakwaters. Ocean Engineering, 2025, 324120610

[18] HayDConsiderations for the design of a floating breakwater, 1966

[19] JiCY, ChenX, CuiJ, YuanZM, IncecikA. Experimental study of a new type of floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering, 2015, 105: 295-303

[20] JiC, DengX, ChengY. An experimental study of double-row floating breakwaters. Journal of Marine Science and Technology, 2019, 24: 359-371

[21] KoleyS. Wave transmission through multilayered porous breakwater under regular and irregular incident waves. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 2019, 108: 393-401

[22] LiuY, LiY, TengB. Wave interaction with a new type perforated breakwater. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 2007, 23: 351-358

[23] LiuR, ChenY, WangX, LianJ. Study on wave dissipation performance of permeable plate breakwater. Ocean Engineering, 2025, 321120153

[24] ManiJS. Design of Y-frame floating breakwater. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 1991, 117: 105-119

[25] McCartneyBL. Floating Breakwater Design. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 1985, 111(2): 304-318

[26] McDougalWG, SuliszW. Seabed stability near floating structures. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 1989, 115(6): 727-739

[27] MeiCC, BlackJL. Scattering of surface waves by rectangular obstacles in waters of finite depth. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 1969, 38(3): 499-511

[28] MustapaMA, YaakobOB, AhmedYM, RheemCK, KohKK, AdnanFA. Wave energy device and breakwater integration: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2017, 77: 43-58

[29] NeelamaniS, RajendranR. Wave interaction with T-type breakwaters. Ocean Engineering, 2002, 29: 151-175

[30] NishadCS, VijayKG, NeelamaniS, ChenJT. Dual BEM for wave scattering by an H-type porous barrier with nonlinear pressure drop. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 2021, 131: 80-294

[31] PatilSB, KarmakarD. Performance evaluation of submerged breakwater using Multi-Domain Boundary Element Method. Applied Ocean Research, 2021, 114: 102-760

[32] PaulD, BeheraH. Wave attenuation on a floating rigid dock by multiple surface-piercing vertical thin perforated barriers. Engineering Analysis with Boundary Elements, 2024, 169105985

[33] PengW, LeeKH, ShinSH, MizutaniN. Numerical simulation of interactions between water waves and inclined-moored submerged floating breakwaters. Coastal Engineering, 2013, 82: 76-87

[34] SahooH, GayathriR, KhanMB, BeheraH. Hybrid boundary element and eigenfunction expansion method for wave trapping by a floating porous box near a rigid wall. Ships and Offshore Structures, 2023, 18(8): 1148-1158

[35] SenerMZ, YoonHK, NguyenTTD, ParkJ, KoseE. An experimental study on capacitive and ultrasonic measurement principles and uncertainty assessment in laboratory wave measurements. Ocean Engineering, 2023, 285115320

[36] SollittCK, CrossRH. Wave transmission through permeable breakwaters. Coastal Engineering Proceedings, 197218271846

[37] TanneauO, LamaryP, ChevalierY. A boundary element method for porous media. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 2006, 120(3): 1239-1251

[38] TrivediK, KoleyS. Effect of varying bottom topography on the radiation of water waves by a floating rectangular buoy. Fluids, 2021, 6259

[39] TwuSW, LiuCC, HsuWH. Wave damping characteristics of deeply submerged breakwaters. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, Ocean Engineering, 2001, 127: 97-105

[40] VenkateswarluV, PraveenKM, KarmakarD. Surface gravity wave scattering by multiple energy absorbing structures of variable horizontal porosity. Coastal Engineering Journal, 2020, 62(4): 504-526

[41] VenkateswarluV, PandurangaK, VijayKG, BeheraH. Evaluation of oscillating water column efficiency in the presence of multiple bottom-standing breakwaters under oblique waves. Physics of Fluids, 2024, 3611117175

[42] VijayKG, VenkateswarluV, NishadCS. Wave scattering by inverted trapezoidal porous boxes using dual boundary element method. Ocean Engineering, 2021, 219108149

[43] VishwakarmaRD, KarmakarD. Hydrodynamic analysis of different shapes of moored hybrid floating breakwater. Journal of Marine Science and Application, 2024, 23(4): 743-761

[44] WangK, ShiP, ChenY, ChengX. Study on submerged upper arc-shaped plate type breakwater. China Ocean Engineering, 2019, 33(2): 219-225

[45] WilliamsAN, Abul-AzmAG. Dual pontoon floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering, 1997, 24(5): 456-478

[46] YannaZ, GuohaiD, BenchaoG, ChangpingC. Numerical simulation of single box floating breakwater in time domain. Advanced Materials Research, 2011, 250–253: 3634-3637

[47] YuX, ChwangAT. Wave Motion through Porous Structures. Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 1994, 120: 989-1008

[48] ZhanJ, ChenX, GongY, HuW. Numerical investigation of the interaction between an inverse T-type fixed/floating breakwater and regular/irregular waves. Ocean Engineering, 2017, 137: 110-119

[49] ZhangM, WangG, QiX, WanS. Hydrodynamic performance of a dual cylindrical caisson breakwater with dual porous ring plates fixed inside. Ocean Engineering, 2024, 307118181

[50] ZhengYH, ShenYM, NgCO. Effective boundary element method for the interaction of oblique waves with long prismatic structures in water of finite depth. Ocean Engineering, 2007, 35: 494-502

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature