JMSE, Vol. 14, Pages 97: Wave Attenuation Performance of a Floating Breakwater Integrated with Flexible Wave-Dissipating Structures

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering doi: 10.3390/jmse14010097

Authors:
Xianlin Jia
Su Guo
Kangjie Wang
Sai Fu
Xintong Yu
Wei Peng

This study develops a two-dimensional numerical model to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of a floating breakwater coupled with flexible wave-dissipating structures (FWDS). The model integrates the immersed boundary method with a finite element structural solver, enabling accurate simulation of fluid–structure interactions under wave excitation. Validation against benchmark cases, including cantilever beam deflection and flexible vegetation under waves, confirms the model’s reliability. Parametric analyses were conducted to examine the influence of the elastic modulus and height of the FWDS on wave attenuation efficiency. Results show that structural flexibility plays a crucial role in modifying wave reflection, transmission, and dissipation characteristics. A lower elastic modulus enhances energy dissipation through large deformation and vortex generation, while higher stiffness promotes reflection with reduced dissipation. Increasing the height of the FWDS improves overall wave attenuation but exhibits diminishing returns for long-period waves. The findings highlight that optimized flexibility and geometry can effectively enhance the energy-dissipating capacity of floating breakwaters. This study provides a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of hybrid floating breakwaters integrating flexible elements for coastal and offshore wave energy mitigation.

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