Experimental investigation of pile-supported/floating breakwaters integrated with oscillating-water-column converters

Abstract

Nowadays, more than half of the world population live in coastal regions, and coastal areas are vital with many economic benefits. Breakwaters are commonly used to protect harbors and coasts from wave attack. Traditional bottom-sitting breakwaters can effectively fulfill the demands of harbor protection in places where water is relatively shallow. However, the heavy traffic and large ship tonnage due to rapidly-developed international trade and maritime transportation are demanding much deeper water depth in harbors. As a result, new harbors are extending towards the ocean and traditional bottom-sitting breakwaters are no longer suitable economically. There is a need for new types of breakwaters that can effectively and economically be deployed in places where water is deep or bottom foundation is weak.