Oblique-Wave Diffraction by Noncollinear Segmented Offshore Breakwaters

Abstract

A theoretical solution is presented for oblique-wave diffraction by a segmented offshore breakwater system consisting of an infinite array of equally spaced vertical barriers oriented at an arbitrary angle to the line joining their centers. The solution is obtained by a Green's function approach. The geometrical periodicity of the breakwater system reduces the problem to that of a singular integral equation for the potential difference across a single breakwater element. Zero-order reflection and transmission coefficients are defined in terms of the amplitudes of the asymptotic (propagating) diffracted waves traveling in the opposite direction to or the same direction as the incident waves, respectively. Numerical values of these coefficients are presented for a range of angles of wave incidence and breakwater orientation, for various breakwater geometric configurations. For certain parameter combinations, significant wave reflection can be achieved using this type of breakwater system.