Finite element simulation of long wave impact on floating breakwaters with variable stiffness

Abstract

The hydroelastic response of flexible, floating breakwaters is a subject of interest for coastal engineering applications. In this study, a higher order hydroelastic finite element is applied to the simulation of floating breakwaters of variable stiffness undergoing long wave impact. The main aim is the evaluation of breakwater efficiency in terms of transmitted and reflected wave characteristics. It is established that, for the wave-lengths examined, the maximum amplitude and wave-length of the transmitted pulse are strongly dependent on the breakwater stiffness. Finally it is shown that for case of a periodic stiffness profile the transmitted energy is minimised when the modulation wavelength is comparable to the wavelength of the incoming excitation.