Parametric Comparison of Rectangular and Circular Pontoons Performance as Floating Breakwater Numerically

Rectangular and circular pontoons are one of the most widely cross-sections used as floating breakwaters (FB). Although, there are several articles on comparison of behavior of rectangular and circular floating breakwaters however, the Authors try to show some details of difference between these two types where they have not been addressed before. To do so, transmission coefficient (Ct), as a measure of merit, of similar rectangular and circular sections is numerically compared. A computer code is developed for two-dimensional hydrodynamic analysis of floating breakwater based on diffraction theory in frequency domain in regular waves with any configuration of mooring line. The numerical method is the finite element method and validated by comparing with experimental and numerical results. Three types of rectangular sections are defined equivalent to circular section and a numerical comparison is made between 100 similar sections. The Ct versus wave frequency has been considered in detail and three new points called LMinF, LMaxF and LMaxCt are introduced. It has been shown that LMinF and LMaxF of circular section are greater and LMaxCt is much smaller than equivalent rectangular section. The LMaxCt of both sections are very dependent to new non-dimensional parameter B/D (Breadth/Draft). Although, rectangular sections are more common for floating breakwater, however the results of this study show that possibility of using circular sections must be also considered.