Hydrodynamic characteristics of curved front face pile-supported breakwaters in random waves

Abstract

The hydrodynamic performance characteristics of pile-supported breakwaters with two concave seaward face profiles (GS-PSB and CPS-PSB) are compared through a comprehensive experimental investigation. The pile-supported breakwater models in two different water levels were subjected to the action of random waves in a wave flume covering intermediate to deep water conditions. The wave energy transmission was found to be similar for both the models in deepwater conditions, while it was marginally less for CPS-PSB in intermediate water depth conditions. CPS-PSB exhibits lesser reflection of waves than GS-PSB for all the test conditions, and hence, it is proved to be a better dissipator of incident wave energy. The peak pressures induced by long waves (d/Lp < 0.20) at the still water level, SWL were found to be the similar for both the models, whereas, at lower locations, CPS-PSB received lesser pressures. Even though, the run-up on CPS-PSB was higher, it did not induce wave overtopping due to the re-curvature at the top. Wave overtopping occurred on GS-PSB and a qualitative assessment of overtopping is reported. The details of the model, experimental investigations, results, and discussion are reported in this paper.