Floating Membrane Breakwater

Abstract

The hydrodynamic properties of a flexible floating breakwater consisting of a membrane structure attached to a small float restrained by moorings are investigated theoretically. The tension in the membrane is achieved by hanging a clump weight from its lower end. The fluid motion is idealized as linearized, two-dimensional potential flow and the equation of motion of the breakwater is taken to be that of a one-dimensional membrane of uniform mass per unit length subjected to a constant axial force. The boundary integral equation method is applied to the fluid domain, and the dynamic behavior of the breakwater is also described through an appropriate Green function. Numerical results are presented which illustrate the effects of the various wave and structural parameters on the efficiency of the breakwater as a barrier to wave action. It is found that the wave reflection properties of the structure depend strongly on the membrane length, the magnitude of the clump weight, and the mooring line stiffness, while the membrane weight and excess buoyancy of the system are of lesser importance.