Laboratory Assessment of A Fixed Box-Type Breakwater as Temporary Coastal Protection Against Wave Actions

Abstract

Coastal areas are vulnerable to the erosive forces of waves, particularly during storm events. Temporary coastal protection measures are often necessary to mitigate damage while permanent solutions are being developed. This study investigates the effectiveness of a fixed box-type breakwater as a temporary measure against wave action. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess the performance of the breakwater under varying wave conditions. The wave attenuation performance of the proposed breakwater was tested in a series of early experiments in a two-dimensional (2D) wave flume under various conditions, including frequency and wave periods for different models (FB1 without membrane, FB2 with a single 46cm membrane, FB3 with 46cm and 56cm double membranes, and FB4 with a single 56cm membrane). Additionally, the flexible membrane's length was examined, along with other derived breakwater designs such as rectangle boxes and boxes joined by a single flexible membrane. Results indicate significant wave attenuation behind the breakwater, suggesting its potential efficacy in protecting coastal areas. According to the findings, the fixed breakwater (FB3 model) might successfully reduce waves by about 50% in moderately longer waves with a wave period of 2s. This article presents the methodology, experimental setup, results, and implications of the study, highlighting the suitability of fixed box-type breakwaters as a viable temporary coastal protection solution.