Numerical simulation of the interaction between waves and pile breakwater with horizontal slotted plates
Abstract
Pile breakwaters are a coastal structure designed to protect harbors and coastlines from wave attacks while allowing water circulation and fish passage. Conventional pile breakwaters reduce wave transmission by decreasing porosity, but this increases wave reflection and impact on the breakwater. This study proposes a novel structure called pile breakwaters with horizontal slotted plates (PHSP) to enhance wave dissipation by inducing turbulence and jet phenomena. A comprehensive analysis using a numerical wave tank based on OpenFOAM and OlaFlow is conducted to simulate the interaction between waves and PHSP under various wave conditions. The numerical results are validated using experimental data and theoretical formulas and are compared with conventional pile breakwaters. The study investigates the effects of different parameters on wave transmission, reflection, and energy dissipation. The findings demonstrate that PHSP can effectively double wave energy dissipation, considerably reduce wave transmission, and adapt to diverse wave environments through parameter adjustments.