Attenuation of wave force on a floating dock by multiple porous breakwaters

Abstract

The impact of an array of porous breakwaters for reducing wave forces on a floating dock is studied based on the small-amplitude water wave theory in finite water depth. The breakwater is approximated by a porous bottom-standing rectangular structure and an impermeable floating rectangular structure is placed at a finite distance on the lee-side representing a dock. The physical problem is solved analytically using Eigenfunction expansion method and numerically using a hybrid element multi domain boundary element method. Two scenarios are considered: (i) wave scattering by N porous structures and the floating dock and (ii) wave reflection by a dock attached to the impermeable wall in presence of N porous structures. The reflection, transmission and dissipation coefficients are evaluated and analyzed for various structural and wave parameters. The study reveals that the Bragg reflection occurs in the case of wave scattering by an array of porous structures in the absence of floating dock. It is also found that in the absence of dock N−2 sub-harmonic peaks occurs whereas, in the presence of dock the effect of Bragg resonance is clearly evident on hydrodynamic coefficients. Also, the study concludes that for four structures with larger height, 100% of wave energy can be dissipated and thus mitigate the wave force on the floating rigid dock. Furthermore, the height and width of the porous structure and spacing between the structures play a vital role to protect the floating platform.