A FLOATING BREAKWATER

Model investigations were performed on a floating breakwater consisting of a slab of breadth comparable to the length of the wave to be obstructed. The primary action of the breakwater is such that the vertical component of orbital motion is inhibited. The secondary action of the breakwater includes energy dissipation by wave-breaking and eddy generation as well as a degree of reflection. Basic measurements include wave reduction, mooring forces, bending strains and vertical displacements developed in the slab. Also, scaling effects were examined. Among the significant conclusions based on this study are that proportional reduction of wave height is independent of wave height; mass damping, either by structural mass or by enclosed or entrained water improves performance; performance is not affected by variation in the stiffness of the mooring system; and indications are that bending stresses do not increase with waves longer than the solid breadth but tend rather to diminish. Applications envisioned by the authors include temporary protection for contractors' works, incorporation in permanent harbor works, and transportable protection for mineral excavation.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the 11th Conference on Coastal Engineering, london, England. Jointly sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Coastal Engineering Research Council of ASCE. This paper is designated as Chapter 67 of the Proceedings.
• Corporate Authors:

  Conference on Coastal Engineering (11th)

  ,    
• Authors:
  • HARRIS, A J
  • Webber, N B
• Conference:
  • Presented at the 11th Conference on Coastal Engineering, london, England. Jointly sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Coastal Engineering Research Council of ASCE. This paper is designated as Chapter 67 of the Proceedings.
• Publication Date: 1968-9

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 1049-54

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Breakwaters; Floating breakwaters; Hydrodynamics
• Old TRIS Terms: Wave force analysis
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00057128
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Texas A&M University, College Station
• Report/Paper Numbers: Proceeding
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 1974 12:00AM