Difference between revisions of "Floating breakwaters"

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{{Review
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==Use of floating breakwaters==
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|name=Job Dronkers|AuthorID=120|
 
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[[Image:FBimage006.JPG|350px|thumb|right|Fig. 1. Example of floating box-breakwater (Fezzano,SP-Italy; courtesy of INGEMAR srl)]]
  
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Floating breakwaters work by dissipating and reflecting part of the wave energy. No surplus water is brought into the sheltered area by wave overtopping. Floating breakwaters are normally used as [[piers and trestles|piers]] in marinas, but they are also used as protective structures for marinas in semi-protected areas. They are especially suited for areas where the tidal range is high, as they follow the water-level. Floating breakwaters are seldom used as shoreline protection structures because they are not suitable for installation in the open sea.
  
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==Use of floating breakwaters==
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Floating breakwaters provide a relatively cheap solution to protect an area from wave attack, compared to conventional fixed breakwaters. They can be effective in coastal areas with mild wave environment conditions (significant wave height not much greater than 1 m and wave periods of 4 s or less<ref name=H81>Hales, L.Z. 1981. Floating Breakwaters: State-of-the-Art Literature Review. US Army Corps of Engineers Technical Report 81-1</ref>). Some of the conditions that favour floating breakwaters are<ref name=MC>McCartney, B. 1985. Floating breakwater design, J. of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering 111: 304-318</ref>:
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[[Image:FBimage006.JPG|350px|thumb|right|Figure 1 Example of floating box-breakwater (Fezzano,SP-Italy; courtesy of INGEMAR srl)]]
 
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Floating breakwaters provide a relatively cheap solution to protect an area from wave attack, compared to conventional fixed breakwaters. They can be effective in coastal areas with mild wave environment conditions (significant wave height not much greater than 1 m and wave periods of 4 s or less<ref name=H81>Hales, L.Z. 1981. Floating Breakwaters: State-of-the-Art Literature Review. US Army Corps of Engineers Technical Report 81-1</ref>). Therefore, they are used for protecting small craft harbours or marinas or, less frequently, the shoreline, aiming at erosion control. Some of the conditions that favour floating breakwaters are<ref name=MC>McCartney, B. 1985. Floating breakwater design, J. of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering 111: 304-318</ref>:
 
  
 
#'' Poor foundation:'' Floating breakwaters might be a proper solution where poor foundations possibilities prohibit the application of bottom supported breakwaters.
 
#'' Poor foundation:'' Floating breakwaters might be a proper solution where poor foundations possibilities prohibit the application of bottom supported breakwaters.
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# Tethered float.
 
# Tethered float.
  
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For each category, some types of floating breakwaters are shown in Figures 1 - 5. The first three types have been more widely investigated by means of physical models and prototype experience than the last one.  
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For each category, some types of floating breakwaters are shown in figures 2 - 5. The first three types have been more widely investigated by means of physical models and prototype experience than the last one.  
  
 
Floating breakwaters often consist of several interconnected modules. Connections are either flexible, allowing preferably only the roll along the breakwater axis, or pre- or post-tensioned, to make them act as a single unit. In the latter case the efficiency is higher, but the forces between modules are higher. The modular assemblage and the mooring system (including position of connections) are primary points of concern for this kind of structures. The wave-induced forces on the connections increase with peak wave period and obliquity; intermediate connections withstand much higher forces than terminal connections<ref>Cebada-Relea, A.J., Lopez, M., Claus, R. and Aenlle, M. 2023. Short-term analysis of extreme wave-induced forces on the connections of a floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering 280, 114579</ref>.  
 
Floating breakwaters often consist of several interconnected modules. Connections are either flexible, allowing preferably only the roll along the breakwater axis, or pre- or post-tensioned, to make them act as a single unit. In the latter case the efficiency is higher, but the forces between modules are higher. The modular assemblage and the mooring system (including position of connections) are primary points of concern for this kind of structures. The wave-induced forces on the connections increase with peak wave period and obliquity; intermediate connections withstand much higher forces than terminal connections<ref>Cebada-Relea, A.J., Lopez, M., Claus, R. and Aenlle, M. 2023. Short-term analysis of extreme wave-induced forces on the connections of a floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering 280, 114579</ref>.  
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Large breakwaters are frequently built with used barges, ballasted to the desired draft with sand or rock.  
 
Large breakwaters are frequently built with used barges, ballasted to the desired draft with sand or rock.  
  
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Floating breakwaters are most effective for wave damping when their width <math>W</math> is of order of half the [[wavelength]] <math>L</math> or larger. The net forces on the mooring and anchoring system are also substantially less for such large widths, because different parts of the structure are subjected to opposite wave forces<ref name=H81/>.   
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Floating breakwaters are most effective for wave damping when their width <math>w</math> is of order of half the [[wavelength]] <math>L</math> or larger. The net forces on the mooring and anchoring system are also substantially less for such large widths, because different parts of the structure are subjected to opposite wave forces<ref name=H81/>.   
  
 
The natural period of oscillation of a floating breakwater is of the order of <math>\; T \sim 2 \, \pi \, \sqrt{\large\frac{M}{\rho g A}\normalsize} \;</math>, where <math>\rho</math> is the seawater density, <math>g</math> the gravitational acceleration, <math>A</math> the horizontal section of the breakwater, and <math>M</math> the mass. This period should be much longer than the wave period to avoid resonance. These requirements imply that floating breakwaters are not suited in areas with long-period high waves.  
 
The natural period of oscillation of a floating breakwater is of the order of <math>\; T \sim 2 \, \pi \, \sqrt{\large\frac{M}{\rho g A}\normalsize} \;</math>, where <math>\rho</math> is the seawater density, <math>g</math> the gravitational acceleration, <math>A</math> the horizontal section of the breakwater, and <math>M</math> the mass. This period should be much longer than the wave period to avoid resonance. These requirements imply that floating breakwaters are not suited in areas with long-period high waves.  
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===Box breakwaters===
 
===Box breakwaters===
 
Box type breakwaters are used most frequently (see figures 1 and 2). Most box-type breakwaters have been constructed of reinforced concrete modules. Reinforced concrete modules are either empty inside or, more frequently, have a [[core]] of light material (e.g. polystyrene). In the former case the risk of sinking of the structure is not negligible. The width and depth (draft) are usually limited to a few meters.
 
Box type breakwaters are used most frequently (see figures 1 and 2). Most box-type breakwaters have been constructed of reinforced concrete modules. Reinforced concrete modules are either empty inside or, more frequently, have a [[core]] of light material (e.g. polystyrene). In the former case the risk of sinking of the structure is not negligible. The width and depth (draft) are usually limited to a few meters.
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[[Image:FBimage002.JPG|450px|thumb|center|Figure 2 Box breakwaters<ref name=MC/>.]]
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[[Image:FBimage002.JPG|450px|thumb|center|Fig. 2. Box breakwaters<ref name=MC/>.]]
  
 
===Pontoon breakwaters===
 
===Pontoon breakwaters===
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Pontoon type breakwaters (Fig. 3) are effective since the overall width can be of the order of half the [[wavelength]]. In this case the expected attenuation of the wave height is significant.  
+
Pontoon type breakwaters (figure 3) are effective since the overall width can be of the order of half the [[wavelength]]. In this case the expected attenuation of the wave height is significant.  
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[[Image:FBimage003.JPG|450px|thumb|centre|Figure 3 Pontoon breakwaters<ref name=MC/>]]
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[[Image:PontoonBreakwaters.jpg|450px|thumb|centre|Fig. 3. Different types of pontoon breakwaters<ref name=MC/><ref>Li, C., Zhang, H., Zhang, H., Sun, B. and Yang, S. 2022.  Wave-attenuation and hydrodynamic properties of twin pontoon floating breakwater with kelp. Applied Ocean Research 124 (2022) 103213</ref>]]
  
 
===Mat breakwaters===
 
===Mat breakwaters===
 
Within the mat category, the most used are made with tires. They have a low cost, they can be removed more easily, they can be constructed with unskilled labour and minimal equipment, they are subjected to lower anchor loads, they reflect less and they dissipate relatively more wave energy. However, they are less robust and suitable only in mild wave climates (significant wave height less than 0.5 m).
 
Within the mat category, the most used are made with tires. They have a low cost, they can be removed more easily, they can be constructed with unskilled labour and minimal equipment, they are subjected to lower anchor loads, they reflect less and they dissipate relatively more wave energy. However, they are less robust and suitable only in mild wave climates (significant wave height less than 0.5 m).
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[[Image:FBimage004.JPG|450px|thumb|centre|Figure 4 Mat breakwaters<ref name=MC/>]]
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[[Image:FBimage004.JPG|450px|thumb|centre|Fig. 4. Mat breakwaters<ref name=MC/>]]
 
Other types of mat breakwaters are made of horizontal flexible porous membranes. The porosity of membranes contributes to viscous wave energy dissipation. Wave attenuation is increased by adding more mat layers<ref>Guo, Y.C., Mohapatra, S.C. and Guedes Soares, C. 2023. Experimental performance of multi-layered membrane breakwaters. Ocean Engineering 281, 114716</ref>. A wave transmission coefficient (ratio of transmitted to incident wave height) below 0.8 can be achieved only if the membrane width is greater than a half wavelength.  
 
Other types of mat breakwaters are made of horizontal flexible porous membranes. The porosity of membranes contributes to viscous wave energy dissipation. Wave attenuation is increased by adding more mat layers<ref>Guo, Y.C., Mohapatra, S.C. and Guedes Soares, C. 2023. Experimental performance of multi-layered membrane breakwaters. Ocean Engineering 281, 114716</ref>. A wave transmission coefficient (ratio of transmitted to incident wave height) below 0.8 can be achieved only if the membrane width is greater than a half wavelength.  
  
 
===Tethered float breakwaters===
 
===Tethered float breakwaters===
 
Tethered float types are not much used. Two schemes are shown in figure 5.  
 
Tethered float types are not much used. Two schemes are shown in figure 5.  
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[[Image:FBimage005.JPG|450px|thumb|centre|Figure 5 Tethered float breakwaters<ref name=MC/>]]
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[[Image:FBimage005.JPG|450px|thumb|centre|Fig. 5. Tethered float breakwaters<ref name=MC/>]]
  
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==Wave transmission==
  
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==Wave transmission==
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[[Image:transmission rationame.jpg|right|400px|thumb|Fig. 6. Rough relation the between the transmission coefficient <math>H_t / H_i</math> and the ratio <math>L/w</math> between the wavelength <math>L</math> and the width of the floating structure <math>w</math>.]]
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Many laboratory experiments have been performed to establish empirical formulas for the wave transmission of floating breakwaters, especially for the box-type breakwaters<ref>Koutandos, E. and Prinos, P. 2005. Design formulae for wave transmission behind floating breakwaters. XXXI IAHR congress, paper 4081</ref><ref>Alizadeh, M.J., Kolahdoozan, M., Tahershamsi, A. and Abdolali, A. 2014. Experimental Study of the Performance of Floating Breakwaters with Heave Motion. Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal 47(1): 59 – 70</ref><ref>Moghim, N. and Botshekan, M. 2017. Analysis of the performance of pontoon-type floating breakwaters. Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Transactions 24: 9–16</ref><ref>Elsheikh, A.K., Mostafa, Y.E. and Mohamed, M.M. 2022. A comparative study between some different types of permeable breakwaters according to wave energy dissipation. Ain Shams Engineering Journal 13, 101646</ref>. The parameters considered in these experiments are the width <math>W</math> (along the wave propagation direction), the draft
 
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<math>D</math>, the incident wave height <math>H_i</math> (most experiments considered regular waves), the wavelength <math>L</math> and the depth <math>h</math>. The dependence of the wave transmission coefficient <math>C_t=H_t/H_i</math> (where <math>H_t</math> is the transmitted wave height) on these various parameters shows a fairly large spread between the different experiments. However, in a qualitative sense, the dependency is similar: the transmission coefficient decreases for increasing values of <math>W</math>, <math>D</math> and <math>H_i</math> and increases for increasing values of <math>L</math> and <math>h</math>. The transmission coefficient is most sensitive to the ratio <math>W/L</math>.
 
  
 +
Many laboratory experiments have been performed to establish empirical formulas for the wave transmission of floating breakwaters, especially for the box-type breakwaters<ref>Koutandos, E. and Prinos, P. 2005. Design formulae for wave transmission behind floating breakwaters. XXXI IAHR congress, paper 4081</ref><ref>Alizadeh, M.J., Kolahdoozan, M., Tahershamsi, A. and Abdolali, A. 2014. Experimental Study of the Performance of Floating Breakwaters with Heave Motion. Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal 47(1): 59 – 70</ref><ref>Moghim, N. and Botshekan, M. 2017. Analysis of the performance of pontoon-type floating breakwaters. Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Transactions 24: 9–16</ref><ref>Elsheikh, A.K., Mostafa, Y.E. and Mohamed, M.M. 2022. A comparative study between some different types of permeable breakwaters according to wave energy dissipation. Ain Shams Engineering Journal 13, 101646</ref>. The parameters considered in these experiments are the width <math>w</math> (along the wave propagation direction), the draft
 +
<math>D</math>, the incident wave height <math>H_i</math> (most experiments considered regular waves), the wavelength <math>L</math> and the depth <math>h</math>. The dependence of the wave transmission coefficient <math>C_t=H_t/H_i</math> (where <math>H_t</math> is the transmitted wave height) on these various parameters shows a fairly large spread between the different experiments. However, in a qualitative sense, the dependency is similar: the transmission coefficient decreases for increasing values of <math>w</math>, <math>D</math> and <math>H_i</math> and increases for increasing values of <math>L</math> and <math>h</math>. The transmission coefficient is most sensitive to the ratio <math>L/w</math>.
  
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==Application==
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As a rule-of-thumb the transmission varies between <math>H_t / H_i = 0.3</math> for <math>L/w = 3</math> and <math>H_t / H_i = 0.9 – 1.0</math> for <math>L/w = 8</math>, see figure 6.  
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Floating breakwaters can provide suitable protection measures for small boat harbor at some locations. However, they must be properly designed for the site conditions with an understanding of their limitations<ref name=MC/>.  
 
  
 +
Consider the example of a pontoon width of <math>w =</math> 3 m in 2 m deep water, and a requirement of a wave transmission of <math>H_t / H_i < 0.5</math>. In this case the wavelength should be smaller than <math>L < 4.3 w \approx 13</math> m, which corresponds to an approximate wave period of <math>T \approx 3 </math> s. Floating breakwaters can only be used in waters of very limited [[fetch]].
 +
Floating breakwaters thus cannot be used as shoreline management structures at moderately exposed and exposed locations.
  
  
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[[File:BuoyantBody.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Fig. A1. Balance of vertical forces on a buoyant body in a wave field .]]
 
[[File:BuoyantBody.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Fig. A1. Balance of vertical forces on a buoyant body in a wave field .]]
  
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The vertical motion <math>\zeta(t)</math> of a buoyant body at <math>x=0</math> in a regular wave field <math>\eta(x,t)=a \cos(kx-\omega t)</math> is described by the heave equation (Archimedes' law, see Fig. A1):
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The vertical motion <math>\zeta(t)</math> of a buoyant body at <math>x=0</math> in a regular wave field <math>\eta(x,t)=a \cos(kx-\omega t)</math> is described by the heave equation (Archimedes' law, see figure A1):
  
 
<math>M \, \Large\frac{\partial^2 \zeta}{\partial t^2}\normalsize = - \rho g \, A \, D + A \, p(z,t)  - dissipation - fluid \; inertia, \quad z = -D + \zeta(t) . \qquad (A1)</math>
 
<math>M \, \Large\frac{\partial^2 \zeta}{\partial t^2}\normalsize = - \rho g \, A \, D + A \, p(z,t)  - dissipation - fluid \; inertia, \quad z = -D + \zeta(t) . \qquad (A1)</math>
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Meaning of the symbols: <math>M=</math> body mass, <math>A=</math> horizontal body section area, <math>D=</math> body draft, <math>p=</math> pressure, <math>h=</math> water depth, <math>a=</math> wave amplitude, <math>\omega=</math> radial wave frequency, <math>k=</math> wave number, <math>\rho=</math> seawater density, <math>g=</math> gravitational acceleration. The moving body generates waves and accelerates the surrounding fluid. The dissipation term corresponds mainly to momentum dissipation through outward radiation of the waves generated by the moving body. It is parameterized as a force opposing the vertical velocity of the body relative to the fluid surface  
 
Meaning of the symbols: <math>M=</math> body mass, <math>A=</math> horizontal body section area, <math>D=</math> body draft, <math>p=</math> pressure, <math>h=</math> water depth, <math>a=</math> wave amplitude, <math>\omega=</math> radial wave frequency, <math>k=</math> wave number, <math>\rho=</math> seawater density, <math>g=</math> gravitational acceleration. The moving body generates waves and accelerates the surrounding fluid. The dissipation term corresponds mainly to momentum dissipation through outward radiation of the waves generated by the moving body. It is parameterized as a force opposing the vertical velocity of the body relative to the fluid surface  
  
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<math>\; dissipation = \rho \, C_d \, A \,\Large\frac{4 a \omega}{3 \pi}\frac{\partial (\zeta - \eta)}{\partial t}\normalsize , </math>
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<math>\; dissipation = \Large\frac{4}{3 \pi}\normalsize C_d \, A \, \rho \, a \, \omega \, \frac{\partial (\zeta - \eta)}{\partial t}\normalsize , </math>
  
 
where <math>C_d</math> is a dimensionless friction coefficient of order 1<ref>Quartier, N., Ropero-Giralda, P., Domínguez, J.M., Stratigaki, V. and Troch, P. 2021. Influence of the Drag Force on the Average Absorbed Power of Heaving Wave Energy Converters Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. Water 13, 384</ref>. Other body motions (e.g. pitch, roll, sway) are ignored.
 
where <math>C_d</math> is a dimensionless friction coefficient of order 1<ref>Quartier, N., Ropero-Giralda, P., Domínguez, J.M., Stratigaki, V. and Troch, P. 2021. Influence of the Drag Force on the Average Absorbed Power of Heaving Wave Energy Converters Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. Water 13, 384</ref>. Other body motions (e.g. pitch, roll, sway) are ignored.
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Substitution in Eqs. (A1) and (A2) gives   
 
Substitution in Eqs. (A1) and (A2) gives   
  
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<math>\zeta_0 \approx a \, \sqrt{\Large\frac{1+b^2}{(1-m)^2+b^2}\normalsize} , \quad b = \Large\frac{4 a \omega^2}{3 \pi g}\normalsize C_d  , \quad m = \Large\frac{M \omega^2}{\rho g A}\normalsize = \Large\frac{D \omega^2}{g}\normalsize . \qquad (A4)</math>
+
<math>\zeta_0 \approx a \, \sqrt{\Large\frac{1+b^2}{(1-m)^2+b^2}\normalsize} , \quad b = \Large\frac{4 a \omega^2}{3 \pi g}\normalsize C_d  , \quad m = \Large\frac{M \omega^2}{\rho g A}\normalsize = \Large\frac{\rho_{fbw} D \omega^2}{\rho g}\normalsize , \qquad (A4)</math>
  
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The phase shift <math>\phi</math> is given by
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where <math>\rho_{fbw}</math> is the average density of the floating breakwater. The phase shift <math>\phi</math> is given by
  
 
<math>\tan \phi =  \Large\frac{bm}{1-m+b^2}\normalsize. \qquad (A5)</math>
 
<math>\tan \phi =  \Large\frac{bm}{1-m+b^2}\normalsize. \qquad (A5)</math>
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==See also==
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==Related articles==
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Articles about breakwaters in general:
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:[[Detached breakwaters]]
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* [[Application of breakwaters]]
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:[[Detached shore parallel breakwaters]]
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* [[Port breakwaters and coastal erosion]]
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:[[Port breakwaters and coastal erosion]]
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Articles about detached breakwaters:
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:[[Applicability of detached breakwaters]]
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* [[Detached shore parallel breakwaters]]
 
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* [[Detached breakwaters]]
 
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* [[Applicability of detached breakwaters]]
 
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Articles about shore or coastal protection:
 
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* [[Dealing with coastal erosion]]
 
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* [[Hard coastal protection structures]]
 
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* [[Shoreline management]]
 
  
  
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{{author
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{{3Authors
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|AuthorID=13321
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|AuthorID1=13321
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|AuthorFullName= Piero Ruol
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|AuthorFullName1= Piero Ruol
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|AuthorName= Piero.ruol}}
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|AuthorName1= Piero.ruol  
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|AuthorID2=120
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|AuthorFullName2=Job Dronkers
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|AuthorName2=Dronkers J
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|AuthorID3=13331
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|AuthorFullName3=Mangor, Karsten
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|AuthorName3=Karsten
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}}
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[[Category:Coastal protection]]
 
[[Category:Coastal protection]]
 
[[Category:Hard structures]]
 
[[Category:Hard structures]]
 
[[Category:Soft coastal interventions]]
 
[[Category:Soft coastal interventions]]

Latest revision as of 14:28, 30 March 2024

Use of floating breakwaters

Fig. 1. Example of floating box-breakwater (Fezzano,SP-Italy; courtesy of INGEMAR srl)

Floating breakwaters work by dissipating and reflecting part of the wave energy. No surplus water is brought into the sheltered area by wave overtopping. Floating breakwaters are normally used as piers in marinas, but they are also used as protective structures for marinas in semi-protected areas. They are especially suited for areas where the tidal range is high, as they follow the water-level. Floating breakwaters are seldom used as shoreline protection structures because they are not suitable for installation in the open sea.

Floating breakwaters provide a relatively cheap solution to protect an area from wave attack, compared to conventional fixed breakwaters. They can be effective in coastal areas with mild wave environment conditions (significant wave height not much greater than 1 m and wave periods of 4 s or less[1]). Some of the conditions that favour floating breakwaters are[2]:

  1. Poor foundation: Floating breakwaters might be a proper solution where poor foundations possibilities prohibit the application of bottom supported breakwaters.
  2. Deep water: In water depths in excess of 6 m, bottom connected breakwaters are often more expensive than floating breakwaters.
  3. Water quality: Floating breakwaters present a minimum interference with water circulation and fish migration.
  4. Ice problems: Floating breakwaters can be removed and towed to protected areas if ice formation is a problem. They may be suitable for areas where summer anchorage or moorage is required.
  5. Visual impact: Floating breakwaters have a low profile and present a minimum intrusion on the horizon, particularly for areas with high tide ranges.
  6. Breakwater layout: Floating breakwaters can usually be rearranged into a new layout with minimum effort.


Types of floating breakwaters

Floating breakwaters are commonly divided into four general categories[2]:

  1. Box
  2. Pontoon
  3. Mat
  4. Tethered float.

For each category, some types of floating breakwaters are shown in figures 2 - 5. The first three types have been more widely investigated by means of physical models and prototype experience than the last one.

Floating breakwaters often consist of several interconnected modules. Connections are either flexible, allowing preferably only the roll along the breakwater axis, or pre- or post-tensioned, to make them act as a single unit. In the latter case the efficiency is higher, but the forces between modules are higher. The modular assemblage and the mooring system (including position of connections) are primary points of concern for this kind of structures. The wave-induced forces on the connections increase with peak wave period and obliquity; intermediate connections withstand much higher forces than terminal connections[3].

The performance of a floating breakwater depends on the strongly non-linear interaction of the incident wave (that may partially overtop the module and is in general short-crested and oblique) with the structure dynamics. The forces induced by the mooring system and the connections between the modules complicate the interactions. Accurate design is necessarily based on the combination of numerical and physical models[4].

Large breakwaters are frequently built with used barges, ballasted to the desired draft with sand or rock.

Floating breakwaters are most effective for wave damping when their width [math]w[/math] is of order of half the wavelength [math]L[/math] or larger. The net forces on the mooring and anchoring system are also substantially less for such large widths, because different parts of the structure are subjected to opposite wave forces[1].

The natural period of oscillation of a floating breakwater is of the order of [math]\; T \sim 2 \, \pi \, \sqrt{\large\frac{M}{\rho g A}\normalsize} \;[/math], where [math]\rho[/math] is the seawater density, [math]g[/math] the gravitational acceleration, [math]A[/math] the horizontal section of the breakwater, and [math]M[/math] the mass. This period should be much longer than the wave period to avoid resonance. These requirements imply that floating breakwaters are not suited in areas with long-period high waves.


Effectiveness

Box breakwaters

Box type breakwaters are used most frequently (see figures 1 and 2). Most box-type breakwaters have been constructed of reinforced concrete modules. Reinforced concrete modules are either empty inside or, more frequently, have a core of light material (e.g. polystyrene). In the former case the risk of sinking of the structure is not negligible. The width and depth (draft) are usually limited to a few meters.

Fig. 2. Box breakwaters[2].

Pontoon breakwaters

Pontoon type breakwaters (figure 3) are effective since the overall width can be of the order of half the wavelength. In this case the expected attenuation of the wave height is significant.

Fig. 3. Different types of pontoon breakwaters[2][5]

Mat breakwaters

Within the mat category, the most used are made with tires. They have a low cost, they can be removed more easily, they can be constructed with unskilled labour and minimal equipment, they are subjected to lower anchor loads, they reflect less and they dissipate relatively more wave energy. However, they are less robust and suitable only in mild wave climates (significant wave height less than 0.5 m).

Fig. 4. Mat breakwaters[2]

Other types of mat breakwaters are made of horizontal flexible porous membranes. The porosity of membranes contributes to viscous wave energy dissipation. Wave attenuation is increased by adding more mat layers[6]. A wave transmission coefficient (ratio of transmitted to incident wave height) below 0.8 can be achieved only if the membrane width is greater than a half wavelength.

Tethered float breakwaters

Tethered float types are not much used. Two schemes are shown in figure 5.

Fig. 5. Tethered float breakwaters[2]

Wave transmission

Fig. 6. Rough relation the between the transmission coefficient [math]H_t / H_i[/math] and the ratio [math]L/w[/math] between the wavelength [math]L[/math] and the width of the floating structure [math]w[/math].

Many laboratory experiments have been performed to establish empirical formulas for the wave transmission of floating breakwaters, especially for the box-type breakwaters[7][8][9][10]. The parameters considered in these experiments are the width [math]w[/math] (along the wave propagation direction), the draft [math]D[/math], the incident wave height [math]H_i[/math] (most experiments considered regular waves), the wavelength [math]L[/math] and the depth [math]h[/math]. The dependence of the wave transmission coefficient [math]C_t=H_t/H_i[/math] (where [math]H_t[/math] is the transmitted wave height) on these various parameters shows a fairly large spread between the different experiments. However, in a qualitative sense, the dependency is similar: the transmission coefficient decreases for increasing values of [math]w[/math], [math]D[/math] and [math]H_i[/math] and increases for increasing values of [math]L[/math] and [math]h[/math]. The transmission coefficient is most sensitive to the ratio [math]L/w[/math].

As a rule-of-thumb the transmission varies between [math]H_t / H_i = 0.3[/math] for [math]L/w = 3[/math] and [math]H_t / H_i = 0.9 – 1.0[/math] for [math]L/w = 8[/math], see figure 6.

Consider the example of a pontoon width of [math]w =[/math] 3 m in 2 m deep water, and a requirement of a wave transmission of [math]H_t / H_i \lt 0.5[/math]. In this case the wavelength should be smaller than [math]L \lt 4.3 w \approx 13[/math] m, which corresponds to an approximate wave period of [math]T \approx 3 [/math] s. Floating breakwaters can only be used in waters of very limited fetch. Floating breakwaters thus cannot be used as shoreline management structures at moderately exposed and exposed locations.


Appendix

Fig. A1. Balance of vertical forces on a buoyant body in a wave field .

The vertical motion [math]\zeta(t)[/math] of a buoyant body at [math]x=0[/math] in a regular wave field [math]\eta(x,t)=a \cos(kx-\omega t)[/math] is described by the heave equation (Archimedes' law, see figure A1):

[math]M \, \Large\frac{\partial^2 \zeta}{\partial t^2}\normalsize = - \rho g \, A \, D + A \, p(z,t) - dissipation - fluid \; inertia, \quad z = -D + \zeta(t) . \qquad (A1)[/math]

Meaning of the symbols: [math]M=[/math] body mass, [math]A=[/math] horizontal body section area, [math]D=[/math] body draft, [math]p=[/math] pressure, [math]h=[/math] water depth, [math]a=[/math] wave amplitude, [math]\omega=[/math] radial wave frequency, [math]k=[/math] wave number, [math]\rho=[/math] seawater density, [math]g=[/math] gravitational acceleration. The moving body generates waves and accelerates the surrounding fluid. The dissipation term corresponds mainly to momentum dissipation through outward radiation of the waves generated by the moving body. It is parameterized as a force opposing the vertical velocity of the body relative to the fluid surface

[math]\; dissipation = \Large\frac{4}{3 \pi}\normalsize C_d \, A \, \rho \, a \, \omega \, \frac{\partial (\zeta - \eta)}{\partial t}\normalsize , [/math]

where [math]C_d[/math] is a dimensionless friction coefficient of order 1[11]. Other body motions (e.g. pitch, roll, sway) are ignored.

According to linear wave theory (see Shallow-water wave theory), the pression is given by

[math]p(-D+\zeta,t) = \rho g \, D - \rho g \, \zeta + \rho g \, K_p(-D+\zeta) \, \eta(t) , \qquad (A2)[/math]

where [math]K_p(-D+\zeta) \approx K_p(-D) = \Large\frac{\cosh(k(h-D))}{\cosh(kh)}\normalsize . [/math]

Energy dissipation dampens the free oscillations of the buoyant body and causes a phase shift [math]\phi[/math] with respect to the wave motion. Assuming waves of small amplitude, small dissipation and neglecting the influence of inertia of the surrounding fluid, the vertical motion of the body will have the form

[math]\zeta(t) \approx \zeta_0 \, K_p(-D) \, \cos(\omega t - \phi). \qquad (A3)[/math]

Substitution in Eqs. (A1) and (A2) gives

[math]\zeta_0 \approx a \, \sqrt{\Large\frac{1+b^2}{(1-m)^2+b^2}\normalsize} , \quad b = \Large\frac{4 a \omega^2}{3 \pi g}\normalsize C_d , \quad m = \Large\frac{M \omega^2}{\rho g A}\normalsize = \Large\frac{\rho_{fbw} D \omega^2}{\rho g}\normalsize , \qquad (A4)[/math]

where [math]\rho_{fbw}[/math] is the average density of the floating breakwater. The phase shift [math]\phi[/math] is given by

[math]\tan \phi = \Large\frac{bm}{1-m+b^2}\normalsize. \qquad (A5)[/math]

The draft [math]D[/math] should be chosen such that resonance [math]m=1[/math] under energetic wave conditions is avoided.


Related articles

Detached breakwaters
Detached shore parallel breakwaters
Port breakwaters and coastal erosion
Applicability of detached breakwaters


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hales, L.Z. 1981. Floating Breakwaters: State-of-the-Art Literature Review. US Army Corps of Engineers Technical Report 81-1
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 McCartney, B. 1985. Floating breakwater design, J. of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering 111: 304-318
  3. ↑ Cebada-Relea, A.J., Lopez, M., Claus, R. and Aenlle, M. 2023. Short-term analysis of extreme wave-induced forces on the connections of a floating breakwater. Ocean Engineering 280, 114579
  4. ↑ Martinelli, L. and Ruol, P. 2006. 2D Model of Floating Breakwater Dynamics under Linear and Nonlinear Waves, 2nd Comsol User Conference, 14 Nov., Milano
  5. ↑ Li, C., Zhang, H., Zhang, H., Sun, B. and Yang, S. 2022. Wave-attenuation and hydrodynamic properties of twin pontoon floating breakwater with kelp. Applied Ocean Research 124 (2022) 103213
  6. ↑ Guo, Y.C., Mohapatra, S.C. and Guedes Soares, C. 2023. Experimental performance of multi-layered membrane breakwaters. Ocean Engineering 281, 114716
  7. ↑ Koutandos, E. and Prinos, P. 2005. Design formulae for wave transmission behind floating breakwaters. XXXI IAHR congress, paper 4081
  8. ↑ Alizadeh, M.J., Kolahdoozan, M., Tahershamsi, A. and Abdolali, A. 2014. Experimental Study of the Performance of Floating Breakwaters with Heave Motion. Civil Engineering Infrastructures Journal 47(1): 59 – 70
  9. ↑ Moghim, N. and Botshekan, M. 2017. Analysis of the performance of pontoon-type floating breakwaters. Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Transactions 24: 9–16
  10. ↑ Elsheikh, A.K., Mostafa, Y.E. and Mohamed, M.M. 2022. A comparative study between some different types of permeable breakwaters according to wave energy dissipation. Ain Shams Engineering Journal 13, 101646
  11. ↑ Quartier, N., Ropero-Giralda, P., Domínguez, J.M., Stratigaki, V. and Troch, P. 2021. Influence of the Drag Force on the Average Absorbed Power of Heaving Wave Energy Converters Using Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics. Water 13, 384


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The main authors of this article are Piero Ruol, Job Dronkers and Mangor, Karsten
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Citation: Piero Ruol; Job Dronkers; Mangor, Karsten ; (2024): Floating breakwaters. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/Floating_breakwaters [accessed on 21-11-2024]
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