Session: 06-05-02 Marine Hydrodynamics

Submission Number: 156397

Wave Transmission Comparative Assessment of Three-Dimensional Single and
Multi-Floating Breakwaters Systems 

Floating breakwaters are widely utilized due to their capacity to protect marinas, ports, fragile beaches from being washed away, and coastlines from erosion. These structures act as wave attenuators, reducing the transmissibility of incident waves. A single-breakwater system may offer simplicity and ease of deployment, but the mooring system may offer some challenges due to the magnitude of the forces involved. On the other hand, multi-breakwater systems may improve this issue and, in addition, provide enhanced wave attenuation. This paper comparatively investigates the wave transmission characteristics of a box-type (1) single-breakwater and (2) multi-breakwaters system. A series of numerical simulations are carried out using the Hydrostar software, a 3D diffraction/radiation software based on potential theory for wave-body interactions. The hydrodynamic response of both configurations is analyzed under varying wave conditions. After that, sheltered areas with shape S for different values of wave transmission coefficients (Kt) are mapped. The results highlight significant differences in the wave transmission shapes between single and multi-unit arrangements, with the latter demonstrating superior performance, i.e., achieving lower wave transmission coefficients. The findings suggest that multi-breakwater systems are the best alternative when compared to single ones, offering enhanced wave attenuation and lower force magnitudes, which reflects on the mooring requirements.

Presenting Author: Emerson Andrade UFRJ

Presenting Author Biography: Received a B.Sc. in Naval Architecture, Marine and Ocean Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, in 2020, and the M.Sc. degree from The Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering (COPPE-UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, in 2022, where he is currently working toward the D.Sc. degree with the Department of Ocean Engineering. He is a Researcher at the Laboratory of Waves and Current (LOC), from the Department of Ocean Engineering, COPPE-UFRJ. His research interests include hydrodynamics, numerical methods, experimental tests, and autonomous vehicles.