Abstract
A series of experiments is conducted in a two-dimensional glass-walled wave tank to confirm numerical solutions based on two-dimensional linear hydro-elastic theory for a horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier. The model test is performed by a comprehensive parametric study with many design parameters. The parameters include membrane length, membrane-submerged depth, pre-tension on the membrane, water depth and the characteristics of incident waves. This experimental investigation consists of the first phase experiment and second phase experiment. The incident, reflected and transmitted wave heights are measured in experiments and then the reflection coefficient ic,and transmission coefficient ict can be calculated from ratio of averaged reflected and transmitted wave height to the averaged incident wave height. These experimental data are compared with the theoretically predicted reflection and transmission coefficients. The first phase-experimental results are in reasonable agreement with predicted results. Especially, the model test of membrane mounted horizontally near the free surface is very close agreement with numerical results. As the second phase experiment, a horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier with a floater is tested in both monochromatic and random waves. The buoyancy of floater can give pre-tension economically on the membrane for the real sea application of a horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier. It is seen in the second phase experiment that the monochromatic and random data have a similar trend. It is also observed in this case that the discrepancy between experimental and numerical results is increased since the floater is not included in the numerical modeling.. The effects. Through the two- phase experiments, it is found that the efficiency of horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier depends on the membrane length, membrane-submerged depth, pre-tension on the membrane, and the characteristics of incident waves. From the present study, it can be concluded that the horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier can function as a very effective breakwater if it is properly designed.
Choi, Hae-Jin (1997). Experimental investigation of a horizontal flexible-membrane wave barrier. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1997 -THESIS -C46.