Hydrodynamic Performance of Fixed Floating Structures Coupled with Submerged Breakwaters Using the Multidomain Boundary Element Method

Abstract

The hydrodynamic characteristics of fixed floating structure (FFSs) of various configurations, such as rectangular fixed floating structures and trapezoidal fixed floating structures coupled with submerged breakwaters of two different shapes, namely, rectangular breakwater and trapezoidal breakwater, are investigated using the multidomain boundary element method under the framework of small-amplitude wave theory. The hydrodynamic analysis of the FFS with and without the presence of submerged breakwater is performed for the variation in physical parameters such as a change in structural parameters of the submerged breakwater (shape, relative submergence depth, relative crest width, and structural porosity), structural parameters of FFS (shape and structural width), wave parameter (angle of incidence), and relative spacing between the FFS and submerged breakwater. The study demonstrates, for a given range of incident wave angles, periodic values of the distance between the submerged breakwater and the FFS and optimal shape combinations for which the coupled structures act effectively in attenuating wave force acting on the FFS and optimizing wave transformations. In addition, to enhance the hydrodynamic performance, the presence of reef structures in front of the FFS is associated, which results in Bragg's resonance with a phase shift in peaks of wave reflection and transmission coefficient caused by changing the structural porosity of the submerged breakwater, indicating that the proposed models are more flexible, allowing demand-based control over shore dynamics and coastal management. The study will be useful for coastal management and safeguarding floating structures by selecting various forms and combinations of coupled FFSs with submerged porous breakwaters. © 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.