Hydrodynamic analysis of arrays of integrated U-shaped OWC device and ?-breakwater

Abstract

The hydrodynamic performance of arrays of hybrid floating breakwater consisting of pile-restrained U-shaped Oscillating Water Column (U-OWC) integrated with ?-breakwater is analysed using Boundary Element Method (BEM). The study is performed to analyse the theoretical maximum efficiency, reflection and transmission coefficients and horizontal wave force coefficient on the top wall of the U-OWC integrated with breakwater as a function of the incidence angle as well as the non-dimensional spacing between the devices. The geometrical variations of the U-OWC relative chamber width and draft are considered to study the effect on the hydrodynamic performance. The study reveals that on increasing the relative draft of the U-OWC, the energy conversion efficiency is improved whereas the increase in the relative chamber width beyond 0.5 times the water depth (A<inf>2</inf>/h=0.5) was detrimental to the efficiency. Further, the wave reflection coefficient as a function of incidence angle is noted to be unaffected by geometric variations of the U-OWC. The wave force coefficients as a function of the non-dimensional spacing is observed to exhibit a sinusoidal pattern for the wave interaction with array of integrated U-OWC with breakwater. The numerical investigation on the array of integrated devices will enhance the knowledge and determine the performance of the array of integrated device. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd