Gravity wave trapping by series of horizontally stratified wave absorbers away from seawall

Abstract

The fluid oscillation between the rigid wall and stratified wave absorber is analyzed in the context of the linearized water wave theory. The stratified wave absorber is composed of multiple horizontal layers considering higher porosity in the surface layer, moderate porosity in the middle layer, and zero porosity in the bottom layer. The study examined the wave motion through multiple horizontally stratified wave absorbers on solving the multilayer dispersion relation. The eigenfunction expansion method is used to form the system of analytical equations using the property of orthogonal mode-coupling relation with continuity of dynamic pressure and velocity at each of the interfaces. The free spacing available between leeward porous wave absorber and the rigid wall is termed as “trapping chamber.” The effect of the trapping chamber on wave reflection and fluid force experienced by a rigid wall is discussed. The analytical results formulated for the physical problem are validated with the available experimental and numerical results. The wave trapping is examined and compared for three types of seawalls such as vertical wall, permeable wall, and stepped wall. The change in trapping chamber length shows the harmonic peaks and troughs in the trapping coefficients and the harmonic oscillations help in the design and development of the stratified porous wave absorbers for the protection of marine infrastructure. © © 2020 by ASME