Wave dissipation characteristics of arrays of crater type barriers

Abstract

Wave dissipation characteristics of 4-row and 7-row crater type wave barriers are assessed using physical model investigations. Regular and random wave fields of wide range of wave heights and wave periods are used. It is found that for a constant incident wave height, the coefficient of wave dissipation by the barrier is increased with increased relative water depth, d/L. For a constant wave period, the coefficient of wave dissipation by the barrier is increased with increased incident wave steepness. Present study elucidates that the 7-row crater barrier is consistently better than 4-row crater barriers in increasing the wave energy dissipation. Also, in regular wave fields, the 7-row crater barrier is about 6.4% more effective in increasing the wave dissipation compared to 4-row barrier. Array of craters can be used as an efficient wave absorbers in wave flumes and wave basins occupying a small area of the flume and basin and hence more effective test area is available.