Interaction of a Plane Solitary Wave with a Rigid Vertical Cylinder

Abstract

The diffraction of a plane solitary wave by a rigid vertical circular cylinder and the resulting wave loading on the cylindrical surface are investigated. Based on the higher-order Boussinesq equations, the second order approximation for the solitary wave equation is derived. The analytical solution is obtained by means of a Fourier transformation technique. Investigation of the wave action on the vertical cylinder is of importance in harbor — and offshore engineering and, in combination with the wave imaging technique, in the design of “cylindrical” arch-dams with radial extending plane walls.