The Bragg reflection of water waves by multiple vertical thin plates is investigated numerically and experimentally. The problem of surface gravity wave interaction with multiple vertical thin plates is formulated mathematically under the assumption of linear water wave theory. Numerical results of the reflection and transmission coefficients are obtained based on the dual boundary element method and compared with the results in the literature. The characteristics of Bragg reflection are represented by the occurring condition, the primary reflection coefficient and the effective bandwidth. The effects of the number, the immerged depth and the spacing of the plates on the characteristics of Bragg reflection are further analyzed systematically. Model experiments are conducted and the experimental results are used to compare with the numerical results of Bragg reflection. This study can provide guidance on the design of multiple vertical thin plates as effective breakwaters by taking advantage of Bragg reflection.

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