Abstract:
ABSTRACT Waves cause major damages and significant socioeconomic loss to a large section of coastlines. For instance, surface waves have caused serious damage to some sections of Fort Jesus, an onshore structure that lies on the shoreline of the Indian Ocean. Many researchers have studied this area and have come up with interventions including the use of bottom-fixed floaters but have not considered the depth and the positioning of the wave breakers. Hence, this study analyzed the incoming waves against an offshore structure with the aim of determining the most suitable position for a wave breaker. Incident wave potential was obtained by separation of variables method. The wave velocity and acceleration were obtained through differentiation of the velocity potential. The study outcomes are useful in identifying the most suitable position/location of the wave breaker with focus centered on wave height attenuation, the decline of wave speed and, most importantly, damping of fast propagating surface waves. The area of research is of great significance to the people living along coastal regions and any other structural or economic projects being rolled out at the coastlines. It was observed that the incident waves had adverse effects on the see environment and on floating offshore structures. The results as depicted in figure 4 shows that the magnitude of damping decreases with increase in water depth. The study has come up with the best position to be approximately few meters off the shore because at this point, the wave characters do not exhibit violent or turbulent characteristics (wavelength, acceleration, and velocity and wave elevation). If these parameters are carefully considered as recommended, the destructive nature of these waves would be significantly reduced. Proper analysis of the waves would provide information for positioning of the wave breaker. This would help alleviate the threat posed by surface waves to the critical coastal structures, coastal inhabitants, and coastal activities. Furthermore, the study significantly sheds light on ways of preventing or even stopping certain adversities caused by advancing water waves. The idea is to arrest through damping the destructive waves that strike the coastal areas, and consequently slow down their adverse effects.
