Performance Evaluation of Pile-Restrained Floating Breakwater using the Multi-domain Boundary Element Method

Abstract

This study investigates wave interactions with different configurations of pile-restrained floating breakwater (T-shaped, ?-shaped, ?-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, and rectangular) with the multi-domain boundary element method. The analysis incorporates horizontal and vertical stratification in floating structures. Key scattering factors, including reflection, transmission, and dissipation coefficients, are evaluated to determine the influences of the structural and geometric parameters on floating breakwater performance. Additionally, this study examines the horizontal wave forces exerted on the seaward and leeward sides of the structures. Model convergence is validated, and the accuracy of the computational results is confirmed by comparing the wave reflection and transmission coefficient for rectangular floating pontoon and stratified submerged porous box. Further validation is provided by comparing the numerical results for an H-shaped model with experimental data obtained from wave flume testing. Findings indicate that the H-type breakwater demonstrates superior performance in deep-water environments, whereas the ?-type structure exhibits greater wave energy transmission and reflection in shallow-water environments. Moreover, the H-type configuration experiences the highest wave forces, whereas the ?-type structure experiences the least. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the design and analysis of floating breakwaters in offshore environments. © Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025.