Experiment study on wave attenuation performance of a new type of porous floating breakwater

As a versatile and environmentally friendly coastal protection solution, floating breakwaters have garnered widespread attention due to their high flexibility, strong adaptability, and mobility. However, despite the relatively low construction cost of floating breakwaters, their poor structural stability and susceptibility to wave impacts lead to higher maintenance costs. Inspired by commercial breakwaters, this study investigates a novel, easy-to-maintain floating breakwater through experimental studies. A series of experiments conducted in a circulating water channel examined key parameters such as wave transmission coefficient (K), reflection coefficient (K), energy loss coefficient (K), and mooring forces, exploring the hydrodynamic behavior and performance of porous floating breakwaters (PFB) under varying wave and flow conditions. Preliminary experimental results indicate that the PFB exhibits better wave attenuation performance for shorter waves, with longer waves posing more significant challenges. Notably, the wave K drops to 0.44 when the relative width exceeds 0.6. The presence of a following current induces a noticeable decline in K due to its impact on wave height and period. Furthermore, the study emphasizes that wave steepness plays a crucial role in influencing the motions of the PFB and its mooring system. This research contributes valuable reference for the efficacy of floating breakwaters in dissipating wave and provides experimental support for enhancing numerical models and designs related to the interaction between waves and structures within porous media.