Prediction of Wave Force on a Long Structure of Semi-infinite Breakwater Type Considering Diffraction

Abstract

In this study, the wave force distribution acting on a semi-infinite and vertical-type long structure is investigated considering diffraction. An analytical solution of the wave force acting on long structures is also suggested in this study. The wave forces on long structures are evaluated for monochromatic, uni-directional random, and multi-directional random waves. Diffraction effects in front of the breakwater and on the lee side of the breakwater are considered. The wave force on a long structure becomes zero when the relative length of the breakwater (1/L) is zero. The diffraction effects are relatively strong when the relative length of the breakwater is less than 1.0, and the wave forces decrease greatly for long structure when the relative length of the breakwater is larger than 0.5. Therefore, it is necessary to consider diffraction effects when the relative length of the breakwater is less than 1.0, and the relative length of the breakwater must be at least 0.5 in order to obtain a reduction of wave force on long structures.