Experimental study on configuration optimization of floating breakwaters

In this paper, four types of floating breakwaters (FB) are proposed: cylindrical floating breakwater (CFB), porous floating breakwater (PFB), mesh cage floating breakwater type-I (MCFB-I) and mesh cage floating breakwater type-II (MCFB-II). The hydrodynamic performance of each type has been tested to identify the most effective configuration for wave attenuation. The experiment was conducted in a wave flume in which regular waves were produced. The incident and transmitted waves, the tensions in the mooring lines and the motion responses of all of the four types of floating breakwaters were measured. It is shown that all proposed types of floating breakwaters can effectively reduce transmitted wave amplitude. Among them the MCFB-I is seen to yield the most attenuating effect on incident wave amplitude.