Forces and moment on a horizontal plate due to regular and irregular waves in the presence of current

This work presents an experimental study of a submerged plate used as a breakwater for coastal areas protection. Questions addressed concern the influence of current on the reflective power of the plate, and its influence on the hydrodynamic loads exerted on it. Results concern both monochromatic and irregular waves. Generally speaking, an influence of the current is found, changing the reflecting power of the structure up to 50%. A homogenized behavior of the loads and moments is found in the presence of currents, meaning that the load values become less sensitive to the frequency. Furthermore, the influence of waves reflected by the wave absorber, representing partially reflective conditions at the shore, is found to be of same order in the absence of current. In any case, the linear behavior of the breakwater is emphasized through the irregular waves approach.