Morphological Modelling of V-Shaped Submerged Breakwaters

In this study, a depth-average morphological model has been used to investigate the effects of v-shaped submerged breakwaters on nearshore hydrodynamics and beach morphology under combined wave and tide conditions. A number of designs with different breakwater layouts and heights are used. The model results show that the v-shaped breakwaters alter the wave and current patterns in the areas adjacent the breakwaters similarly to the shore-parallel breakwater schemes. The wave transmission coefficient is found in the range between 0.40 and 0.92 for the lower breakwaters, and between 0.38 and 0.71 for the higher breakwaters. The lower v-shaped breakwaters are less effective in retaining sediment than the shore-parallel breakwaters, but the higher v-shaped breakwaters perform similarly. The effect of tides on sediment transport and beach morphology is found to be significant, enhancing and accelerating the formation of the embayments and salients.