Wave attenuation characteristics of a stepped-slope floating breakwater (SSFBW) system

This paper describes the performance of a floating breakwater system having a stepped-slope designed as a wave attenuation structure. Laboratory experiments have been conducted with the aim to determine the wave transmission characteristics in various breakwater geometry and wave conditions. A series of unidirectional regular wave only condition was generated on the floating structure. Transmitted wave heights were investigated behind the modeled structure in order to obtain the coefficient of transmission, reflection and the amount of energy lost. The experimental results showed that the degree of wave attenuation was dependent strongly upon geometrical factors and wave conditions. It increases as the number of rows or as the breakwater draft increases. Wave transmission was also found to be higher if the system is exposed to long waves or waves with low steepness and where the water depth is relatively large. Empirical equations for predicting the coefficient of transmission, reflection and loss were derived for the SSFBW system. A comparison was made between the SSFBW and the tested rectangular pontoon for their wave attenuation ability. Comparisons were also made, in terms of CT and CL against B/L, with experimental results of various floating breakwater designs.