ARPEC: A NOVEL STAGGERED PERFORATED CAISSON FOR WAVE ABSORPTION AND TIDAL FLUSHING

Paolo Sammarco,Stefano Definis,Claudia Cecioni,Giorgio Bellotti,Leopoldo Franco

doi:10.9753/icce.v36v.structures.26

Abstract

An innovative caisson breakwater geometry (patent pending) named "ARPEC" (Anti Reflective PErmeable Caisson) includes openings at all external and internal walls and at lateral (cross) ones, yet in a staggered pattern, to provide a labyrinthian hydraulic communication between the open sea and the internal waters. The complex sinuous water-flow within the consecutive permeable chambers thus favors wave energy dissipation as well as port water flushing and quality, with very low reflection and transmission coefficients. 2D lab model tests demonstrate the system effectiveness.Recorded Presentation from the vICCE (YouTube Link): https://youtu.be/PaUsinYO-Zo

Highlights

Perforated multichamber r.c. caisson breakwaters are widely used for deep harbour protection from waves, often in microtidal conditions
The openings at the seaward chambers allow a partial dissipation of wave energy due to resonance, viscous friction losses, flow separation, eddies, vortex shedding and turbulence; such hydraulic dissipations and the related reflection performance are mainly governed by the porosity of the perforated walls and by the “chamber width/wavelength” ratio
The water exchange can be an important aspect in semiclosed harbour basins along microtidal coasts

Summary

Introduction

INTRODUCTION Perforated multichamber r.c. caisson breakwaters are widely used for deep harbour protection from waves, often in microtidal conditions. The openings at the seaward chambers allow a partial dissipation of wave energy due to resonance, viscous friction losses, flow separation, eddies, vortex shedding and turbulence; such hydraulic dissipations and the related reflection performance are mainly governed by the porosity of the perforated walls and by the “chamber width/wavelength” ratio. The landward chambers can be perforated to absorb residual wave disturbance in the harbour basin.

Results

Conclusion