Numerical Study of Wave Forces on Crown Walls of Mound Breakwaters with Parapets

Jorge Molines,M. Esther Gómez-Martín,Arnau Bayón,Josep R. Medina

doi:10.3390/jmse8040276

Jorge Molines, M. Esther Gómez-Martín + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse8040276

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Abstract

The influence of parapets on crown walls of mound breakwaters on wave forces has not been extensively analyzed in the literature. In this study, numerical experiments were carried out using the open-source platform OpenFOAM® to evaluate the influence of nine crown wall geometries with and without parapets. The OpenFOAM® model was validated with laboratory experiments. Dimensionless horizontal forces and overturning moments due to horizontal forces increase when there is a parapet. Dimensionless up-lift forces provide similar results, regardless of the existence of a parapet. Crown walls with parapets increase the horizontal wave forces and overturning moments due to horizontal wave forces by a factor of two.

Highlights

The crest level of a mound breakwater is designed to work with lower mean wave overtopping discharges than tolerable limits for port operation and structural safety
In order to reduce the wave overtopping on existing or new mound breakwaters with a crown wall, a parapet can be constructed on the crown wall to return part of the flow to the sea
Molines et al [1] studied the influence of a parapet on wave overtopping of mound breakwaters with crown walls

Summary

Introduction

The crest level of a mound breakwater is designed to work with lower mean wave overtopping discharges than tolerable limits for port operation and structural safety. In order to reduce the wave overtopping on existing or new mound breakwaters with a crown wall, a parapet can be constructed on the crown wall to return part of the flow to the sea. Molines et al [1] studied the influence of a parapet on wave overtopping of mound breakwaters with crown walls. The effect of the parapet characteristics on wave forces on crown walls was analyzed baseInd Fonigtuhree n1u, mRec riiscatlhteesctrsecsot nfdreuecbtoedarbdyoMf othlienesstreutcatul.r[e1,].ATchiiss tphaepearmisodrivcirdeestdfirneteobtohaerdfololof wthineg stsreuccttiuornes,.FFciirssth, tehceroliwtenrawtuarlel foonuwndaavteiofnorlceevseol,nGccoisasthtaelcsrterustcwtuirdetshwoiftthhpeasrtarupcettusries,dceostαcrisbethde. Parapets with an exit angle θ = 45o were not subjected to impulsive lo3a.dMs iondtehleTiensvtsestigated range, and the forces were similar to those of the vertical wall case. Molines et al [6] proposed estimating the wave forces on the crown wall of mound breakwaters using the dimensionless mean wave overtopping as the key variable

Model tests

Numerical Model

Findings

Numerical model