Bulk Wave Dissipation in the Armor Layer of Slope Rock and Cube Armored Breakwaters

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze the interaction of the incident wave train with a mound breakwater (specifically, dissipation in the armor layer) and to quantify the performance of the structure built with different types and sizes of armor units. The generalized Π -Buckingham theorem is invoked to choose a complete set of independent variables that govern the principal interaction processes. The analysis is based on two sets of experimental data obtained in the wave flume of IISTA, University of Granada, and in the wave flume of Aalborg University. The bulk dissipation depends on the product of the relative water depth and the incident wave steepness, (h/L)(HI/L), the relative size of the armor diameter, Da/HI, the relative thickness, e/L, the shape and specific placement criterion, the characteristics of the porous core, B*/L, D50,p/L, and the slope angle of the breakwater. For a given breakwater, the product of (h/L)(HI/L) can be used to identify and quantify three hydrodynamic performance regimes: reflective, dissipative and transitional, based on the prevalent interaction processes. Moreover, the dimensional analysis provides a functional relationship between the stability parameter and the bulk dissipation. For two mound breakwaters, one built with cubes of Da=49.6 mm and the other one with rocks of Da=44.0 mm, the bulk dissipation is almost similar over the entire range of (h/L)(HI/L). These results could be useful for the assimilation of data obtained in different wave flumes, the optimization of the breakwater design and to revise the notional permeability parameter.

Advances in Numerical Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Modelling of Wave-Structure-Seabed Interactions and Scour

“…greater shear stresses on the seabed and, thus, sediment transport. • Wave dissipation: when waves impact a coastal structure, part of its incident wave energy is dissipated by (Figure 3): (a) wave-breaking on the slope or wall, (b) turbulent interactions (circulation and friction) with the armour layer, and (c) wave propagation through the porous media of the structure [44]. Among these, wave-breaking on the wall or slope mainly affects sediment transport, which generates turbulence in front of the structure and then mobilizes sediment.…”

Modified incompressible smooth particle hydrodynamics in porous media method for modeling the damping of a waves train on an inclined porous structure

“…The studied problem geometry is based on the experimental setup performed by Carrasco et al 85‐87 in the IISTA wave flume at the University of Granada in 2020. The experimental setup consists of a dike model placed in the middle of a wave flume (see Figure 17).…”

“…In their work, they have made a dimensional analysis to find an other dimensionless number. Their dimensional analysis reveals that the dimensionless number, with d the initial water depth, the height of the incident wave, and the wave length, can be used to quantify the wave energy transformation 85 87 . Our numerical model is used to reproduce the experimental tests to verify that the dimensionless number allows to find the fit functions to quantify the energy distribution coefficients.…”

Damage in Rubble Mound Breakwaters. Part II: Review of the Definition, Parameterization, and Measurement of Damage

“…The latter can be used as a motivation to establish a standardization of procedures between the different laboratories and Port Authorities worldwide in order to provide comparable results. In this sense, Clavero et al [12] proposed a methodology that can help deciding whether two series of data obtained in different laboratories are assimilable or not.…”

“…Specifically, for small-scale experiments, an additional review on all the aspects that could condition the reproducibility of the results should be faced [46]. According to Clavero et al [12], three issues are relevant for assimilating data from different sources: (1) the wave generation curve and the experimental space at the breakwater toe, (2) the location in the wave flume and the geometric scale of the models, and (3) the forcing sequence based on the increasing wave energy steps.…”