Numerical and experimental investigation on the hydrodynamic characteristics of an arc-shaped plate-type breakwater under the action of long-period waves

Abstract An experimental and numerical study on the hydrodynamic characteristics of arc-shaped plate-type (ASPT) breakwaters was carried out. The accuracy and reliability of the developed 2D numerical model were verified through experimental results, which show the following. As the relative plate width increases, a decrease in Kt and a slight increase in Kr occur. The maximum increase in the transmission coefficient is approximately 11% (the wave height increases by 4 cm). When d/h = 0.05, the difference in the reflection coefficient at H/h values of 0.10 and 0.17 is great, with the maximum amplitude decreasing to 39.6%. The wave pressure P distribution pattern differs significantly between the upper and lower surfaces of the arc-shaped plate. When d/h = 0.05, the difference in the absolute value between positive and negative P values ranges only from 0.06 to 0.21 kPa. The vertical wave force on the ASPT breakwater is significantly greater than the horizontal wave force. The flow field distribution differs notably between the wave-facing and back-wave sides of the ASPT breakwater. A relatively notable vortex is formed on the back-wave side. The results of this study can be used as a theoretical reference for the application of ASPT breakwaters in engineering.