151

Transmission performance of
submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii
and submergence ratios
Arkal V. Hegde1 and S.M. Naseeb2
1Professor,Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics.
Email: arkalvittal@gmail.com
2P.G. Student, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal.

Mangalore. India. Email: naseeb.nostalgia@gmail.com

Received: June 27, 2014; Accepted: July 15, 2014

Abstract
The paper presents the results of a series of laboratory experiments that were conducted
in a 2D monochromatic wave flume of the department to evaluate the transmission
characteristics of scaled down semicircular breakwater (SBW) physical models of
different radii (R) for different submergence ratios (d/hc), where d is the depth of water
and hc is the height of the breakwater crest from the sea bed. The radii of the breakwater
models studied were 20 cm, 22.5 cm, 25 cm, and 27.5 cm and d/hc values used varied
from 1.067 to 1.667. The wave climate along the Mangalore coast of India was used for
arriving at the various wave parameters. Incident wave heights (Hi) used varied from
3 to 18 cm, wave periods (T) ranged from 1.2 s to 2.2 s with water depths (d) of 40 cm,
45 cm and 50 cm. The data collected was analyzed by plotting the non-dimensional
graphs depicting the variation of transmission coefficient Kt (Kt = Ht/Hi, where Ht =
transmitted wave height) with wave steepness Hi/gT2 for different R/Hi and d/hc values.
It was found that transmission coefficient decreased as the incident wave steepness
increased for different submergence ratios. Also as d/hc increased, it was found that Kt
increased initially and then decreased.

Keywords: Semicircular breakwater, Transmission coefficient, Incident wave steepness,

Submergence ratio.

1. INTRODUCTION
The semicircular breakwater was first developed in Japan in the early 90’s as reported by Tanimoto and
Takahashi (1994), and a prototype semicircular breakwater of 36 m length was built at Miyazaki Port during
1992 to 1993. Semicircular breakwater is composed of a precast reinforced concrete structure built with a
semicircular vault and a bottom slab. Unlike the construction of conventional breakwaters, there is no need
for rock filling inside the semicircular structure, thus considerable reduction in material cost can be achieved.
The prefabricated structure is placed on a prepared rubble mound foundation. The wave force acting on a
semicircular breakwater is considerably less when compared with vertical breakwater. The wave pressure on
the semicircular surface passes through the centre of the circle thus overturning moment is small. This feature
is advantageous to the soft soil foundation. The construction process is relatively simple. There is also no in-
situ concrete casting work for the semicircular structure. It is easy to re-lift the erected semicircular structure
in case of necessity. The arch configuration of the breakwater has a nice scenery effect.
Sundar et al. (1997) have conducted experimental work on dynamic pressure and runup on
semicircular breakwaters due to random waves. The dynamic pressure and wave runup on a

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152 Transmission performance of submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii and submergence ratios

semicircular breakwater model as well as its reflection characteristics have been obtained through an
experimental program. The pressure spectrum at still water level (SWL) experiences lesser energy
compared to that at a location immediately below SWL, which is due to the intermittence effect. The
zeroth spectral moment at a location (z/d = –0.10) immediately below the SWL is nearly 60 to 75%
more than exerted at the SWL. The shape of the pressure spectra is slightly broader than the
corresponding wave spectrum. The shoreward peak pressures follow a Raleigh distribution. The zeroth
spectral moment of run-up increases with increase in the zeroth moment of the incident wave spectra.
The reflection coefficient for the SBW model ranges from 0.6 to 0.95, suggesting that the shape of the
breakwater considered in this study is quite effective in alternating the incident wave energy.
SriKrishna Priya et al. (2000) have done the experimental verification of pressure exerted on
Submerged Semicircular Breakwaters. Detailed investigation was taken through a joint research project
between the two participating institutes in India and Germany to measure the dynamic pressures and
run-up along a semicircular caisson of radius 0.5 m supported on a rubble mound. The measured
pressures are compared with the results of a finite element model and with theoretical formulations. The
reflection coefficient, Kr decreases with increase in water depth. For constant hw/ht = 1.0 and 1.2, Kr
varies from 0.15 to 0.50 and for hw/ht = 1.4, Kr varies from 0.15 to 0.25. The dimensionless pressure,
Pc/γh decreases with increase in scattering parameter, ka. For the present tests, the dimensionless
pressure varied from 0.1 to 0.7 with ka ranging up to about 3.2. The dimensionless pressure decreases
from the SWL towards the bed. The dimensionless horizontal and vertical forces on semicircular
caisson drastically decrease with increase in ka. The vertical force is almost twice the horizontal force.
Dhinakaran et al. (2002) carried out detailed investigation on the reflection and transmission
characteristics and hydrodynamic pressures due to the action of regular waves, on a submerged seaside
perforated semicircular breakwater model with 7% perforations. The ratio of the height of the rubble to
the total height of the breakwater (hr/ht) is kept constant as 0.18. The water depth to the total height of
the model (hw/ht) was varied as 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4. The results have been compared with that of an
impermeable semicircular model. Based on the detailed experimental investigations conducted, the
following conclusions are arrived. The Kr is found to decrease with increase in water depth and is
higher for submerged seaside perforated semicircular breakwater model with 7% perforations It is
observed that, the seaside perforated semicircular breakwater dissipates more energy due to the
provision of perforations and hence reflects lesser amount of energy.
Subba Rao and Sundar (2002) have done experimental work on hydrodynamic pressures and forces
on Quadrant front face pile supported breakwater. Quadrant front face pile supported breakwater is a
combination of semicircular and closely spaced pile breakwaters, which couples the advantages of
these two types. This type of structure consists of two parts. The bottom portion consists of closely
spaced piles and the top portion consists of a quadrant solid front face on the seaside. The leeward side
of the top portion with a vertical face would facilitate the berthing of vessels. An experimental
investigation on this breakwater model in a wave flume is carried out for three water depths. For each
water depth, three different spacing’s between the piles were adopted for the investigation. The
dynamic pressures exerted along the quadrant front face due to regular waves were measured. The
variation of dimensionless pressures with respect to scattering parameter for different gap ratio
(spacing between the piles/diameter of pile) and for relative pile depth (water depth/pile height) are
presented and discussed. In addition, the dimensionless total forces exerted on the breakwater model
as well as its reflection characteristics as a function of scattering parameter is reported. Kr increases
with increase in ka, from about 0.25 to 0.50, 0.25 to 0.70 and 0.20 to 0.85 for d/h=1.45, 1.63 and 1.81,
respectively. Further, the rate of increase is found to be higher for higher d/h. A superposition of the
lines of best fit reveals that Kr is lesser for lesser water depth (d/h=1.45) and Kt decreases with
increase in ka. The loss coefficient Kl, was obtained from the evaluated Kr and Kt as Kl = √1− (Kr2 +
Kt2). For lesser water depth, Kl increases with increase in ka, whereas for higher water depths, Kl
decreases with increase in ka.
Chang-gen et al. (2004) developed a vertical 2D numerical wave model based on unsteady Reynolds
equations. In this model, the k-epsilon models were used to close the Reynolds equations, and volume

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Arkal V. Hegde and Naseeb S.M 153

of fluid (VOF) method was used to reconstruct the free surface. The model was verified by
experimental data. Then the model was used to simulate solitary wave interaction with submerged,
alternative submerged and emerged semicircular breakwaters. The process of velocity field, pressure
field and the wave surface near the breakwaters was obtained. It is found that when the semi-circular
breakwater is submerged, a large vortex will be generated at the bottom of the lee side wall of the
breakwater, when the still water depth is equal to the radius of the semi-circular breakwater, a pair of
large vortices will be generated near the shoreward wall of the semi-circular breakwater due to wave
impacting, but the velocity near the bottom of the lee side wall of the breakwater is always relatively
small. When the semi-circular breakwater is emerged, and solitary wave cannot overtop it, the solitary
wave surface will run up and down secondarily during reflecting from the breakwater. It can be further
used to estate the diffusing and transportation of the contamination and transportation of suspended
sediment.

2. DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND TEST MODEL

Dimensional analysis is carried out using Buckingham’s π theorem. The variables considered in the
present investigations are as follows: d, depth of water; L, wavelength; Hi, incident wave height; Hr,
reflected wave height; Hl, loss coefficient; T, wave period; g, acceleration due to gravity; hc, height of
crest of semicircular model from the bottom bed. Considering Hi and g as repeating variables the
dimensional analysis yields the following non-dimensional π terms: Hl/Hi (= loss coefficient, Kl), Hr/Hi
(= reflection coefficient, Kr), Hi/gT2 (incident wave steepness), d/hc (= submergence ratio), R/Hi (Ratio
of radius to incident wave height).
The model consists of two parts, the base slab and the top semicircular shaped caisson. See Figure 1.
The fabrication of the model is done in two steps, one the casting of base slab and the fabrication of the
semicircular caisson. Base plate dimensions are:

• 20 cm SBW – 0.5 m × 0.73 m × 0.05 m

• 22.5 cm SBW – 0.55 m × 0.73 m × 0.05 m
• 25 cm SBW – 0.6 m × 0.73m × 0.05 m
• 27.5 cm SBW – 0.65 m × 0.73 m × 0.05 m

These dimensions were chosen as to increase the weight of the SBW models in order to make them
stable during the wave attack. Galvanized Iron (GI) sheet of 0.002 m thickness was used to fabricate
the semicircular shaped caisson and the sheet was coated with cement slurry to simulate concrete
surface. The sheet was fixed to the base slab with the help of stiffeners made up of flat plates. Models
are then placed over the rubble mound foundation of thickness 0.05 m on the adopted scale of 1:30
[equal to the prototype minimum thickness of 0.5 m prescribed by CEM, (2001)] and stones weighing
from 50 g to 100 g were used to form the foundation.

Figure 1. A schematic of typical semicircular breakwater model cross section tested

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154 Transmission performance of submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii and submergence ratios

3. EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
The present study was conducted in the regular wave flume available in the Marine Structures
laboratory of the department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, National Institute of Technology
Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, India. The model was placed in the flume 28 m away from the
wave flap on the rubble mound foundation. The slope used for the rubble foundation is 1V: 2H. See
Figure 2. Three capacitance type wave probes were used for measuring the incident and reflected
wave heights using the three-probe method proposed by Isaacson (1991). The wave probes were
placed at a distance of 4 m from the centre of the model. The spacing between the probes is kept
equal to L/3, where L is the wavelength. Waves were made to attack the SBW in bursts of five waves
to avoid successive reflection and re-reflection. For the measurement of transmitted waves, single
probe is placed on the leeside of the breakwater. The surface elevation measured by the probes was
recorded by the wave recorder and the measured voltage signals are converted into wave heights and
wave periods by using the lab wave recorder software provided by EMCON (Environmental
Measurements and Controls), Kochi, India.

Figure 2. Monochromatic wave flume setup used for the experiments

Table 1. Experimental variables and their range of values

Parameters Experimental range
Wave-specific parameters
Incident wave height, Hi (m) 0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12, 0.15, 0.18
Wave period, T (sec) 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.2
Depth of water, d (m) 0.40, 0.45 , 0.50
Submergence ratio, (d/hc ) 1.067 – 1.667
Structure-specific parameters
Radius of the semicircular caisson (m) 0.2, 0.225, 0.25, 0.275

4. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

According to the wave energy balance equation (Kt2 + Kr2 + Kl2 = 1), part of the energy of the incident
waves is transmitted by the submerged structure. The wave transmission depends on the submergence
ratio (= d/hc) and the wave parameters. The graphs are plotted depicting the variation of Kt with incident
wave steepness Hi/gT2 for different submergence ratios. Looking at Figures 3 to 5, all represent the
logarithmic trend for the respective water depths of 0.4 m, 0.45 m, and 0.50 m for radius of 0.2 m. It may
be noted that transmission coefficient decreases as incident wave steepness increases. Also it is seen from
Figures 3 to 5, that for steep waves the variation becomes more or less horizontal indicating that there is
no influence of wave steepness on transmission at higher wave steepness. Steeper waves have higher
particle velocity values since particle velocities are proportional to the wave steepness, and hence there
is more energy dissipation and there will be greater wave attenuation leading to low transmission.
Similarly, Figures 6 to 8, 9 to 11, and 12 to 14 represent variation of Kt with incident wave steepness
Hi/gT2 for model radii of 0.225 m, 0.25 m, and 0.275 m respectively considering d/hc and R/Hi values.
From these graphs, the transmission coefficient is found to vary between 0.6 and 0.9 for the breakwater,

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Figure 3. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.1 – 6.84

Figure 4. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.1 – 8.65

Figure 5. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.1 – 7.65

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156 Transmission performance of submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii and submergence ratios

Figure 6. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.24 – 9.375

Figure 7. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.258 – 8.36

Figure 8. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.2 – 8.1

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Figure 9. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.3 – 9.3

Figure 10. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi=1.3 – 9.0

Figure 11. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi =1.3 – 8.9

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158 Transmission performance of submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii and submergence ratios

Figure 12. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi =1.2 – 9.5

Figure 13. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi =1.3 – 9.5

Figure 14. Variation of Kt with Hi/gT2 for R/Hi =1.5 – 9.3

indicating attenuation of up to a value of 40%, indicating the large wave attenuating character of the
semicircular breakwaters. Again a logarithmic trend is found to be the best fit to describe the variation
of transmission with incident wave steepness.
Further, regarding the variation of Kt with d/hc, it may be inferred that there is no clear trend
observed form Figure 15. Figures 16, 17 and 18 show the variation of transmission coefficient

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Arkal V. Hegde and Naseeb S.M 159

0.9 Series1

0.8
Kt
Poly.
0.7
(Series
1)
0.6

0.5
1 1.5
d/hc

Figure 15. Variation of Kt with submergence ratio d/hc for all water depths and model radii

Figure 16. Kt verses R/Hi for d/gT2 = 0.008 – 0.028

1 d/gT2 =0.009 - 0.0318

0.9

0.8
Kt
0.7 d/gT2 =0.009 - 0.0318

0.6 Poly. (d/gT2 =0.009 -

0.0318)
0.5
0 5 R/Hi 10 15

Figure 17. Kt verses R/Hi for d/gT2 = 0.009 – 0.0318

Kt with R/Hi (ratio of model radius to incident wave height) for different d/gT2 ranges. As R/Hi
increases Kt is found to increase initially, then remain constant. This may be due to lower turbulence
and hence less energy loss at large radii. Typically, Figure 16 shows this trend for a d/gT2 range of
0.008 to 0.028 and Figures 17 and 18 depict same trend for d/gT2 ranges of 0.009–0.0318 and
0.01–0.035 respectively.

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160 Transmission performance of submerged semicircular
breakwaters for different radii and submergence ratios

1 d/gT2 = 0.01 - 0.035

0.9
0.8
0.7
Kt
0.6 d/gT2 = 0.01 - 0.035
0.5 Poly. (d/gT2 = 0.01 - 0.035)
0.4
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
R/Hi

Figure 18. Kt verses R/Hi for d/gT2 = 0.01 – 0.035

5. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results obtained and discussion carried out, following conclusions are drawn:
• Kt value decreases as incident wave steepness increases for all the submergence ratios considered.
• Kt ranges between 0.6 and 0.9 for the present SBW models considered in the experiments,
including all the wave and structure parameters.
• Kt increases initially as R/Hi (ratio of semicircular model radius to incident wave height)
increases and then remains constant for all the three d/gT2 ranges considered, 0.008–0.028,
0.009–0.0318 and 0.01–0.035 respectively.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to the Director, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, and
also to the Head, Department of Applied Mechanics and Hydraulics, National Institute of Technology
Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, India for their constant support and encouragement in the preparation
of this paper.

NOTATIONS
Hi = Incident wave height
Ht = Transmitted wave height
Kt = Transmission coefficient
hc = Height of breakwater crest from seabed
g = Acceleration due to gravity
T = Wave period
L = Wavelength

REFERENCES
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submerged impermeable and sea side perforated semicircular breakwaters”, 21st International
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