Effectiveness of Floating Breakwater in Special Configurations for Protecting Nearshore Infrastructures

Abstract

This paper investigates the effectiveness of floating breakwaters consisting of two barges (L-shape), three barges (U-shape), four barges (barge frame), and conventional single floating breakwater. The floating breakwaters of different spatial layouts have sheltered internal gaps/moonpools when compared to their conventional counterparts. The motions of these floating breakwaters and their effectiveness in wave transmission and motion reduction of the protected floating bodies are evaluated. The study is conducted based on a subsystem of a floating hydrocarbon storage facility that combines a floating breakwater with two floating tanks, studied previously. Numerical models based on linear potential flow theory are built for these floating breakwaters with and without the floating tanks. The numerical models of the barge frame are validated through laboratory experiments, and the dipole damping lids to reduce the resonant fluid motions in the gaps/moonpools are calibrated with experimental results. The L-shape floating breakwater is found effective in reducing wave transmissions without the presence of the floating tanks, while the barge frame is the most effective in the motion reduction of the floating tanks. In addition, significant fluid resonant motions are identified for all investigated floating breakwaters, including the conventional one. Orienting the structure obliquely can improve the performance of the floating breakwaters of special configurations, especially the barge frame. The results and findings show the importance of considering the protected floating structures in the analysis when designing floating breakwaters for many types of marine structures, including floating fish farms and floating cities in coastal waters.

Prediction of sediment transport due to detached breakwater

“…One of the shores-protected structures that are the best from wave attack is breakwater [3], [4]. Breakwater is a shore-protected construction in which the position is aligned or about aligned to the shoreline [5], [6] with the aim is to dampening the incoming waves (Notification letter of General Work Ministry No 07, 2010). Breakwater is designed to give protection to the shore which is located in the back by breaking the wave energy before reaching the shore [7].…”

Experimental Study on Spacing Effect in Arrays of Draft-Varying Floating WEC-Dikes

“…The significance of spatial layout on the efficacy of arrays of floating breakwaters has been investigated in several studies, underscoring its crucial importance [19,20], particularly in coastal protection contexts [21]. And it is in these contexts that integrating the energy production function into the classic breakwater function gained interest among researchers [22,23].…”