Evaluation of wave energy transmission through a floating breakwater using the SPH method

Abstract

Energy transmission through a box-shaped floating breakwater (FB) is examined, under simplified conditions, by using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, a mesh-free particle numerical approach. The efficiency of the structure is assessed in terms of the coefficient of transmission as a function of the wave period and the location of the floating breakwater relative to the zone to be protected. Preliminary results concerning wave energy transmission reveals a clear improvement of the efficiency as wave period decreases and an important role of the bathymetry. © 2013 WIT Press.