GR1003786B - Floating, vertically anchoring wave absorbers - Google Patents

Abstract

Floating, vertically anchoring wave absorber, featuring excess buoyancy, of a modular construction consisting of pre-fabricated modules. The partial depth seawalls used so far have two principal disadvantages: a) their exhibit a gradual deterioration of their efficiency with the increase of the period of the waves and (b) in order to handle the large horizontal forces exerted, large anchoring systems and particularly robust construction are required, thus increasing the cost of their construction and maintenance. In the floating wave absorbers. The principal mechanism for retaining the wave energy is absorption which is effected with the use of cells (8) which can be constructed with a suitable arrangement of blades. Bars., cables or absorbers. The aim of each cell is to differentiate locally the wave propagation, causing some disturbance in the direction of propagation, the speed, the height, or the period of the wave. The suitable arrangement of the cells causes self-cancelling disturbance so that with the exploitation of confluence phenomena, development of turbulent flow and dunes and creation of reflection waves, partial reduction of the incoming energy of the wave formation is effected. Each module (2) consists of the board (3), the floating system (4), the mechanism for absorbing the wave energy (5) and the anchoring system. The module, in free float, floats wit a small part of it immersed in the water, whereas in the location of final installation it is fully immersed in water so that excess buoyancy develops which is received by the anchoring systems. The modules are assembled and anchored for creating the wave absorber, the final form and size of which depend on the morphology of the region under protection, the weather conditions that prevail and the use it is aimed for. The above characteristics give the floating wave absorber of vertical anchoring the ability to be used for the construction of systems for the protection from waves which will rapidly evolve with a low cost without necessitat