US3800543A - Offset breakwater configuration - Google Patents

Offset breakwater configuration Download PDF

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Publication number
US3800543A
US3800543A US00260274A US3800543DA US3800543A US 3800543 A US3800543 A US 3800543A US 00260274 A US00260274 A US 00260274A US 3800543D A US3800543D A US 3800543DA US 3800543 A US3800543 A US 3800543A
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Prior art keywords
reflecting surfaces
wave
offset
waves
planes
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00260274A
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English (en)
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W Moore
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MOORE AND SETHNESS Co
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Individual
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
    • E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
    • E02B3/06—Moles; Piers; Quays; Quay walls; Groynes; Breakwaters ; Wave dissipating walls; Quay equipment
    • E02B3/062—Constructions floating in operational condition, e.g. breakwaters or wave dissipating walls
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A10/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE at coastal zones; at river basins
    • Y02A10/11—Hard structures, e.g. dams, dykes or breakwaters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the production of improved breakwaters. More specifically, the present invention is directed to breakwaters providing wave reflecting surfaces so disposed that when part of the wave is reflected at one surface, another part is reflected at a surface which is displaced by approximately one-half the wavelength of the incident wave. The displacement of the reflecting surfaces serves to balance and cancel out wave forces on the structure itself and can be adjusted to correspond to the desired or expected range of incident wavelengths.
  • the breakwater may be floating and can be transportable and/or mobile.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views 22 and 33 from FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention wherein the offset reflecting surfaces are connected only by a skeletal framework.
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of a modification ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 4 wherein the offset reflecting surfaces have the vertical edges thereof bent so as to project outward into the direction of an approaching wave front]
  • FIGS. '6 and 7 are perspective illustrations of an embodiment of the invention wherein a single offset reflecting surface is placed between two floating barges.
  • FIG. 6 is a view from above and in front of the structure.
  • FIG. 7 is a view from underneath and behind the structure.
  • FIG. 8 is a top view of an embodiment of the invention having more than two offset planes of reflecting surfaces.
  • FIGS. 9A-9G are composites illustrating a number of possible alternative geometric shape embodiments encompassed within the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a plan view of a stable offshore work platform having the offset configuration built directly into one side thereof.
  • FIG. 11 is a representation of a group of river barges with the front barges offset in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 12 is a representation of an embodiment of the invention similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein the single offset reflecting surface is mounted in such a way as to move along tracks so that the offset distance between the reflecting surfaces may be varied in order to take into account changes in the wavelength of impinging waves.
  • FIG. 13 is a frontal view of'the embodiment illustrated in FIG.'12.
  • Breakwaters provide an important and useful means for protecting beaches, harbors, loading docks, marinas, marine installations and the like.
  • the floating structure may also serve as a pier or floating harbor or as a work platform for off shore activities such as well drilling. Additionally, floating breakwaters offer freedom from silting, scouring and foundation problems, as well as possible low initial cost for deep water applications.
  • Floating breakwaters may be said to have been designed primarily according to two basic theories.
  • breakwaters serve to break up or attenuate the rotary circulation of water particles characteristic of waves.
  • breakwaters oppose the propagation of waves by acting todissipate the wave energy in small-scale water motions.
  • the effectiveness of such breakwaters in opposing transmission of wave motion has, however, been only limited.
  • the breakwater of the instant invention is illustrated in its preferred form in the drawings, FIG. 1.
  • the structure may be described as comprising a plurality of substantially rectangular wave reflecting surfaces R, each of which is offset from the next adjacent surface by a dimension which is approximately one-half the wavelength (L) of the waves expectedto be met by the breakwater.
  • L wavelength
  • the effect of such an offset configuration is that a wave train approaching perpendicular to the reflecting surfaces of the breakwater will produce forces on the offset surfaces which are one-half cycle out of phase with each other.
  • the wave crest is at the first or frontal plane of reflecting surfaces, causing positive forces on the outer contact face, F, as represented in FIG.
  • the wave trough is at the offset surfaces, causing negative forces on the inner contact face, F as represented in FIG. 3.
  • the Wave generated forces on adjacent offset surfaces are at all times nearly equal and opposite to one another and motion of the breakwater structure is thereby substantially minimized.
  • the wave reflecting surfaces of the present invention are to be substantially vertical and may be constructed of any strong, rigid, self-supporting material, which may or may not be buoyant.
  • any strong, rigid, self-supporting material which may or may not be buoyant.
  • materials such as steel plate, sheet metal, molded fiberglass or some other resinous substance, wood and the like may be employed.
  • suitable means for providing buoyancy must be provided (such as log means M in FIG. 1).
  • a flat lateral supporting surface 0, be included perpendicular to and between each deflecting surface, the overall configuration of the breakwater thus taking on the form of the squaredof corrugated planar surface shown in FIG. 1.
  • the addition of this lateral surface serves to maintain the slug of water in the approaching wave front in a coherent mass and to prevent any dispersing of the water around the edges of the reflecting surfaces.
  • each of the wave reflecting surfaces with the edges projecting outward into the direction of the approaching wave front in a somewhat U- shaped cross section as shown in plan view in FIG. 5.
  • each of the offset planes is not critical and can be varied depending upon a number of circumstances. For example, the average expected wavelength, the depth of the body of water, the length of the desired breakwater, the size of the desired still water area, and of course structural and economic factors can influence the design. I have found for example that the concept of the present invention is adaptable to a single offset surface set between two floating barges each of which has a reflecting surface at one end as shown in FIG. 6. Similarly, breakwaters constructed according to the present invention may have the reflecting surfaces in more than two planes offset by multiples of one-half wavelength. Such a breakwater, a plan view of which is shown in FIG. 8, would be effective and may be preferred in a number of situations.
  • the lateral dimension, by which the offset planes of reflecting surfaces are separated and which ideally is to equal one-half a wavelength be made adjustable in order to take into account the varied ranges of wavelengths which may be anticipated in any one circumstance.
  • the offset distance between the reflecting surfaces may be set before installation of the breakwater in anticipation of an average expected wavelength, or
  • the breakwater may be constructed so that the distance may be adjusted as necessary. Such a construction would be of great utility in minimizing the amplitude of transmitted' waves during a wind storm for example, or some other occasion when the wavelength of the impinging waves differs from an expected value.
  • either the forward or the rearward set of reflecting surfaces R may be mounted so they can move along guides or tracks placed parallel to the lateral surfaces 0.
  • a releasable locking means such as a brake, will maintain the reflecting surfaces in fixed relation. When the wave action changes, this brake may be released, allowing the waves themselves to adjust the length between the reflecting surfaces.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 This latter arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 in connection with an embodiment of the invention similar to that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. At the optimum offset distance, the brake may be reset again.
  • the offset dimension may be made adjustable by any operable means, such as a built-in hydraulic screw or cable, a pneumatically controlled lever, or the like.
  • the breakwater should be constructed so that the top of the reflecting surfaces remains above the height of the impinging waves.
  • the critical criterion is that the surfaces must intercept most of the water motion.
  • water motion will be a function of wavelength, whereas in relatively shallow areas it will be a function of the water depth. Any design whereby a substantial portion of the water motion is intercepted will be acceptable.
  • a lip or flange along the bottom edge of the offset reflecting surfaces and/or the longitudinal surfaces 0.
  • the flange may be added to either the barge configuration as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 or to the basic configuration as shown in FIG. 1.
  • Such a lip or flange will cause flow separation and reduce the flow of water under the breakwater surfaces, thus reducing any vertical heaving or pitching motion caused by periodic flow under the breakwater acting on the bouyancy elements. Further, the heaving and pitching motion may be reduced due to the drag of such flanges resisting motion through the water.
  • the offset wave deflecting configuration could be built directly into the side of such a platform as illustrated in FIG. 10, or when the expected wavelength is very large, two or more platforms could be connected together with a planar surface which would serve as the offset plane'while the ends of the platform would serve as the frontal reflecting plane.
  • the latter concept is that illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • Floating breakwaters constructed in accordance with the present invention could be made self-propelled or could be anchored in a pattern to protect terminal facilities and super tankers during loading or unloading operations.
  • An additional advantage of such breakwaters would be to contain any lighter-than-water substances which might be accidentally spilled during use of the terminal facilities.
  • Theoffset configuration concept of the present invention may be utilized to render the power requirements in transporting groups of barges on inland waterways. On these waterways such things as freight, garbage, and the like are loaded on barges, a number of which are then tied together'and pushed along the body of water by-one or more tug boats. The action of the frontal surface of the group of barges being pushed along the water creates a wave front. Ifa numberof the front barges were arranged in offset configuration, at one-half of the wavelength of the created wave in accordance with the present invention, this would serve to cut back on the drag experienced and thereby decrease the amount of power necessary to move the said wave reflecting surfaces being arranged in at least two sets of one or more surfaces,
  • each of the said sets being spatially located in substantially a single vertical plane
  • each said vertical plane being separated by a distance measured in the direction of approach of impinging waves, approximately equal to one-half the wavelength of the waves expected to impinge upon said surfaces;
  • eachsaid vertical plane being separated from one another and arranged in such fashion that each surface lies directly behind a gap between the surfaces of the plane in front thereof;
  • the number and arrangement of all reflecting surfaces being such that the net moment about the center of the structure span approximates zero.
  • the structure of claim 1 formed by setting a single offset reflecting surface between two floating barges each having a reflecting surface in approximately the same vertical plane and substantially parallel to said offset reflecting surface.
  • said reflecting surfaces situating said reflecting surfaces in at least two vertical planes located one behind each other perpendicular to the direction of the approaching wave front and maintaining the distance said planes are separated at a value approximately equal to onehalf the wavelength of the impinging waves; said reflecting surfaces being arranged in said vertical planes in alternating, offset fashion in such manner that the total surface area in each plane is approximately equal and the net moment about the center of the total span of the wave reflecting surfaces approximates zero.
  • one or more of the wave reflecting surfaces are provided by the floating structure itself.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
US00260274A 1972-06-06 1972-06-06 Offset breakwater configuration Expired - Lifetime US3800543A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US26027472A 1972-06-06 1972-06-06

Publications (1)

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US3800543A true US3800543A (en) 1974-04-02

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ID=22988513

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US00260274A Expired - Lifetime US3800543A (en) 1972-06-06 1972-06-06 Offset breakwater configuration

Country Status (10)

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US (1) US3800543A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS561404B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
AU (1) AU471169B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA971375A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2328879C2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DK (1) DK141298B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2188629A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1382567A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL174968C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NO (1) NO136614C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4768896A (en) * 1986-12-22 1988-09-06 Moore Walter L Offset breakwater device
US6408780B1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2002-06-25 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Wave-resistant mega-float
US20090217855A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2009-09-03 National University Of Singapore Pontoon-type floating structure
US9340940B2 (en) 2014-08-20 2016-05-17 Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research Floating breakwater
WO2018235067A1 (en) * 2017-06-21 2018-12-27 Attias Eyal FLOATING BREEZE-BLADES
US11085157B2 (en) * 2020-10-10 2021-08-10 Jiangsu University Of Science And Technology Floatable flow-resisting and sand-resisting multi-functional device
WO2023287298A1 (en) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-19 7Waves As Port terminal

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS572847B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1974-02-27 1982-01-19
JPS52151230A (en) * 1976-06-02 1977-12-15 Tadashi Tagami Wave eliminating fence

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2652692A (en) * 1947-05-03 1953-09-22 Beach & Shore Inc Breakwater construction
US2710505A (en) * 1951-08-21 1955-06-14 John W Magill Baffle plate type breakwater unit for effecting wave energy dissipation
US2994201A (en) * 1957-04-25 1961-08-01 Pure Oil Co Wave shield
US3011316A (en) * 1958-12-18 1961-12-05 Allen B Wilson Breakwater and method of dissipating waves
US3222870A (en) * 1962-03-12 1965-12-14 Us Rubber Co Wave damping apparatus

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1691335A (en) * 1926-10-20 1928-11-13 Harry V Campbell Sea wall, jetty, and similar structure
US2388171A (en) * 1944-07-13 1945-10-30 Edward W Mcvitty Floating breakwater for seaplanes, flying boats, and for other uses
US2972233A (en) * 1957-06-11 1961-02-21 Pure Oil Co Wave breaking device
US3465528A (en) * 1967-04-25 1969-09-09 Ernest M Usab Floating wave suppressor
CH488872A (de) * 1968-04-05 1970-04-15 Resa Ag Wellenbrecher

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2652692A (en) * 1947-05-03 1953-09-22 Beach & Shore Inc Breakwater construction
US2710505A (en) * 1951-08-21 1955-06-14 John W Magill Baffle plate type breakwater unit for effecting wave energy dissipation
US2994201A (en) * 1957-04-25 1961-08-01 Pure Oil Co Wave shield
US3011316A (en) * 1958-12-18 1961-12-05 Allen B Wilson Breakwater and method of dissipating waves
US3222870A (en) * 1962-03-12 1965-12-14 Us Rubber Co Wave damping apparatus

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4768896A (en) * 1986-12-22 1988-09-06 Moore Walter L Offset breakwater device
US6408780B1 (en) * 1998-10-30 2002-06-25 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Wave-resistant mega-float
US20090217855A1 (en) * 2005-10-14 2009-09-03 National University Of Singapore Pontoon-type floating structure
US8251002B2 (en) 2005-10-14 2012-08-28 National University Of Singapore Pontoon-type floating structure
US9340940B2 (en) 2014-08-20 2016-05-17 Kuwait Institute For Scientific Research Floating breakwater
WO2018235067A1 (en) * 2017-06-21 2018-12-27 Attias Eyal FLOATING BREEZE-BLADES
US11131072B2 (en) 2017-06-21 2021-09-28 Eyal Attias Floating breakwater
US11085157B2 (en) * 2020-10-10 2021-08-10 Jiangsu University Of Science And Technology Floatable flow-resisting and sand-resisting multi-functional device
WO2023287298A1 (en) * 2021-07-12 2023-01-19 7Waves As Port terminal

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NO136614B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1977-06-27
JPS561404B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1981-01-13
AU5563573A (en) 1974-11-14
CA971375A (en) 1975-07-22
JPS4963233A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-06-19
NL174968B (nl) 1984-04-02
GB1382567A (en) 1975-02-05
NL174968C (nl) 1984-09-03
DE2328879A1 (de) 1973-12-20
FR2188629A5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1974-01-18
DK141298C (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-08-11
NO136614C (no) 1977-10-05
NL7307231A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-12-10
DK141298B (da) 1980-02-18
AU471169B2 (en) 1976-04-08
DE2328879C2 (de) 1985-02-07

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