A 3D BEM for the propagation of water waves scattered by arrays of vertical cylinders in the presence of currents

Abstract

Interaction of waves and currents with structures is an interesting phenomenon that finds application in a variety of problems, including offshore and shoreline protection structures. The present work focuses on the modelling and simulation of wave fields, interacting with permeable breakwaters consisting of arrays of vertical cylinders in the presence of currents. The permeable structure exhibits many advantages, as the reduction of wave run-up, reflected wave energy and excitation of loads (Sulisz, 1985). Such arrangements allow the propagation of a proportion of the incident energy (wave, current) to the lee side. Assuming inviscid and irrotational flow as well as waves of small steepness, the problem is treated in the framework of potential theory, in conjunction with boundary integral formulations, in the frequency domain. Numerical results are presented and discussed, concerning the structure of the reflected and transmitted wave fields. The developed method allows for the efficient calculation of the studied structure’s properties, making the model suitable for design and optimization studies.