Mechanism of wave-induced flow in reshaping breakwaters

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the reshaping mechanisms of a reshaping berm breakwater (BB) by assessing the results of a two-dimensional numerical model in OpenFoam. The flow inside and outside the breakwater was numerically simulated. The initial and reshaped form of the breakwater was modelled using the Darcy–Forchheimer equation and k–ϵ closure model. The numerical model was calibrated with and validated against experimental data of wave-induced pressure and water-level fluctuations inside and outside the breakwater. Both the initial and reshaped BB were evaluated for calibration and validation processes. The results show that the minimum run-down level on the breakwater slope is a critical area for armour instability due to outward driving forces caused by the critically synchronised outward flow and excess pressure gradient. Moreover, parallel downward flow occurs during a wave run-down, which can push the displaced armour down the slope. After reshaping, the breakwater profile has a milder slope than the initial profile, and the outward forces due to the excess pressure gradient are reduced to less than one-half of their initial amount, a result of the change in breaker type. Accordingly, the reshaped profile is modified to harmonise with the new flow field conditions.