Wave run-up on a fixed surface-piercing square column using multi-layer barrier

Steep or breaking waves may produce critical run-ups on a surface-piercing column, as represented by an unexpectedly high uprush, which has the potential of generating damaging localised wave-in-deck loads. Hence, to improve the air gap performance of offshore column-stabilised platforms, this paper proposes the mounting of an innovative multi-layer barrier on the column surface at a certain distance below the lower deck. Experiments were performed using a truncated square column to examine the performances of different versions of the barrier, namely, solid-plate, porous-plate, and intermittent-plate types, under four different focused waves. All the barrier types were found to obstruct and deflect uprush flow under storm conditions. However, the solid-plate type tended to experience considerable wave forces, with its impermeability also rendering the higher layers ineffective. The intermittent-plate type dissipated the uprush flow and decreased the wave impact, although it exhibited relatively strong flow disengaging, which decreased the efficiency under large wave run-ups. Conversely, the porous-plate type exhibited adequate performance, with a larger plate porosity and moderately high mounting elevation tending to improve the uprush obstruction performance and further decrease the wave slamming loads. A barrier with an appropriately designed plate porosity, number of layers, and mount elevation is expected to perform efficiently under severe sea states, providing protection for the lower deck against extreme wave run-ups.