Numerical analysis of the performance of a horizontal porous plate attached to the front of a vertical wall

Abstract

The dual boundary element method (DBEM) is applied to investigate the wave scattering and wave loads on a vertical wall with a horizontal plate, over wide ranges of relative widths, porosities, relative depths of submergence, inclinations, and relative depths of vertical barrier. The structure rests on a submerged porous breakwater. It is observed that a smaller relative width of the plate is more effective for reducing the vertical load. Furthermore, varying the relative width from 0.2 to 1.0 does not alter the wave transmission noticeably. It is observed that increasing the porosity of the horizontal plate helps to reduce the vertical wave force, but increases the horizontal wave force and wave-induced moment. Moreover, a variation in the relative depth of submergence of horizontal plate from 0.05 to 0.4 has an insignificant effect on wave transmission. However, it helps reduce the vertical load and increases horizontal wave force and moment. It is observed that an anticlockwise rotation of the horizontal plate by 5° reduced the vertical load and moments by 10%–20%. These results would be effective for the optimal design of similar wave barriers.