Trapezoidal breakwater on reducing resonant wave amplitude on a rectangular basin

Abstract

In this study, we delve into the effectiveness of trapezoidal breakwaters in mitigating resonance phenomena. The challenge at hand is to identify the optimal configuration capable of halting resonance. Employing Shallow Water Equations with a friction term to encapsulate the breakwater’s roughness, we analytically solve the model to determine the natural wave period. This period serves as the instigator of an unstoppable harmonic oscillation. Numerically, we use the Finite Volume Method on a Staggered Grid to simulate the model for several cases to pinpoint the infimum value of the natural wave period required to impede resonance phenomena. This research holds significance for those involved in coastal protection design, particularly in the context of trapezoidal breakwaters. The findings contribute to the effective reduction, rather than amplification, of wave height, thereby enhancing the reliability of such coastal protection structures.