Wave forces on partially submerged pipe breakwater

Partially submerged pipe breakwater has been designed exclusively for fishery and pleasure - craft harbours, wherein moderate wave agitations are permissible. The breakwater consists of a row of closely spaced pipes mounted on a frame and suspended between the support piles spaced far apart. Experimental studies conducted to determine wave forces indicate that the maximum force would reduce by about 60% when compared with the force that an equivalent solid plate would experience. Further studies suggest that by suspending a row of closely spaced pipes (with a gap to diameter ratio of 0.22 and draft to water depth ratio of 0.46), 50% reduction in incident wave height can be achieved. Based on Kriebel (1992), modified expressions for wave transmission and forces were obtained and results compared with experimental values.