Numerical Simulation of Spatial Distribution of Wave Overtopping on Non-reshaping Berm Breakwaters

Abstract

This study presents the results of a 2D numerical modeling investigation on the performance of non-reshaping berm breakwaters with a special look at the spatial distribution of irregular wave overtopping using FLOW-3D CFD code. The numerical model is based on Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver (RANS) and volume of fluid (VOF) surface capturing scheme (RANS-VOF). The numerical model has been validated using experimental data. The armor and core porosities have been used as calibration factors to reproduce the wave overtopping distribution. The computed distributions of wave overtopping behind the structure agree well with the measurements for a non-reshaping berm breakwater. A formula is derived to relate the spatial distribution of wave overtopping water behind non-reshaping berm breakwaters to non-dimensional forms of wave height, wave period, berm width, berm height, and armor freeboard based on numerical results. This formula model agreed reasonably well with numerical model results.