Diffraction of Directional Wave Spectra Around a Semi-Infinite Breakwater
Abstract
A numerical model was developed for this study to predict the diffraction of incident directional wave spectra by a semi-infinite breakwater. The model was validated against a set of laboratory data from a physical model test that included incident spectra with narrow and broad frequency distributions and narrow and broad directional spread. The best agreement between measured and predicted diffraction was achieved for the incident spectra with a narrow directional spread, independent of frequency distribution. The numerical model predicted higher diffraction coefficients than were measured for the incident spectra with a broad directional spread. The difference was not unreasonable, and was probably due to the problems encountered in attempting to generate a spectrum of waves with a broad directional spread in a small-scale physical model. The numerical model also predicted larger diffraction coefficients than were measured for the monochromatic incident wave condition, but the difference was small in the shadow zone, away from the region of high gradients in wave-height.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA255928
Entities
People
- Matthew T. Walsh
Organizations
- Buffalo District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers