Hydrodynamic Performance of Floating Breakwaters under Regular Wave

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology

Abstract

Floating breakwaters (FB) represent an alternative solution to protect coastal areas from wave attack
and erosion. The major advantages of using floating breakwater in comparison to conventional fixed
ones are lower cost of construction, using in severe hydrodynamic conditions and high speed
installation. Therefore, engineers lead to design and use floating breakwaters in those situation in
which this type of breakwater is more suitable to construct. To predict floating breakwater behavior, it
is essential to investigate flow characteristics in the vicinity of structure. In this regard, numerical
modeling is presented based on the solutions of 2DV Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS)
equations and the VOF method using in Fluent Software.
To generate wave, a sub-model has been developed and hooked to the main software. Results obtained
from the numerical model then validated by experimental data cited in the literature to represent the
capability of model in simulation of complicated problems. Numerical modeling shows that the single
fixed FB operates well but, the attached plate in the front part of the FB significantly enhances the
efficiency of the structure and with regard to cost-effectiveness, the configuration of the FB with the
attached plate should be considered for design purposes. Also, double FBs and trapezoidal ones with
inclined faces of different angles are simulated. It is found that the trapezoidal FBs are the most
efficient in comparison to the other types of FBs.