Experimental Study on the Stability and Wave Force of a Breakwater Transition under Multiangle Oblique Waves

Abstract

Based on the failure and instability of different structural transitions of offshore breakwater, this paper provides a basis for understanding the instability mechanism and also provides suggestions for engineering repair. Based on the breakwater project in the regulation of the bay of Shandong Province, physical model tests with a scale of 1:36 were carried out. This study revealed the wave characteristics, the force performance, and the instability mechanism in the transition. In the test, the relationships between 5°, 15°, 35°, and 75° oblique waves, the wave force, and the stable weight of the Accropode were simulated, revealing that the generation of a shock wave current is related to the wave direction angle, which results in the local wave height increasing by 2.05 times. The result that the design weight of the armour block is unstable and stable after optimization is obtained. The wave force of the caisson of the transition was concentrated in the anti-arc section of the superstructure, and the maximum horizontal force, buoyancy force, and impact pressure were 935.6 kN, 419.1 kN, and 65.9 kPa, respectively. The instability mechanism was determined as the poor connection between the accropode and the caisson, and the wave energy concentration. Compared with the calculation results of the standard formula, the correction coefficients of the overtopping volume, the wave crest elevation, the wave force, and the Accropode weight at the transition of breakwater were 1.95, 1.97, 1.60, and 4.0, respectively. The test results have solved the practical problems of the project and can also provide a reference for similar projects.

Keywords

• oblique wave
• transition area of different structures
• stability
• wave force
• test methods