EFFECTS OF MOORING CONFIGURATION ON HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF THE H-TYPE FLOATING BREAKWATER (H-FLOAT) IN REGULAR AND RANDOM WAVES

This study is focuses on the hydraulic investigation of the H-Type floating breakwater (H-Float) which is assessed by physical modelling. The objective of this study is to evaluate the hydraulic performance of the H-Float in both regular and random waves. This study also is aim to ascertain the hydraulic characteristics of H-Float with respect to mooring systems used which are taut leg and catenary. At the end of the study, the hydraulic performance of the H-Float will be compared with other floating breakwater. During the past studies of this H-Float, small number of tests were conducted due to budget and time constraints. The tests conducted were confined to limited test ranges such as wave period, breakwater draft and also water depth. To tackle this issues, thorough study has been carried out on the related subjects and also the development of the previous floating breakwater. The H-Float model also is modified to improve its performance as compared to the past tests done before. The model with a scale of 1:15 is tested in the modified wave tank with a total of 84 tests altogether, subjected to regular and random waves. Other equipment that are used in the test are wave generators, wave probes and wave absorbers. The variable parameters for this study include wave period, wave height and type of mooring system. During the test, this model are moored with taut leg and catenary mooring system, in order to avoid excessive movement experienced due the wave actions. Finally, the performance of the H-Float are assessed based on the transmission and reflection coefficients as well as energy dissipation and these results are compared with the previous test and other floating breakwater studies. Conclusively, the H-Float model with scale of 1:15 moored by taut leg mooring system is an effective floating breakwater with an excellent capability in attenuating wave energy, good anti-reflection structure and an outstanding energy dissipater.