TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1985

Floating Breakwater Design

Publication: Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 111, Issue 2

Abstract

Floating breakwaters are inventoried. The various types are separated into 4 general categories, which are Box, Pontoon, Mat, and Tethered Float. The Tethered Float was identified as a special category but lacked sufficient prototype experience for detailed analysis. Advantages and disadvantages of the Box, Pontoon and Mat are presented. Hydraulic model test results and prototype experience for these 3 types are presented. Alternative mooring systems and anchorage methods are summarized. The engineering studies usually needed for a suitable design are outlined. Costs and design data for selected prototype installations are tabulated.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Atturio, J. M., and Jones, D. B., “Sloping Float Breakwater: Initial Model Tests and Handling Tests of Navy Lighter (NL) Pontoon Modules,” Technical Note N‐1601, U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Laboratory, Port Hueneme, Calif., Feb., 1981.
2.
Baird, A. V., and Ross, N. W., “Field Experiences with Floating Breakwater in the Eastern United States,” MP 82‐4, U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, CE, Fort Belvoir, Va., July, 1982.
3.
Bottin, R. R., and Turner, K. A., “Seabrook Lock Complex, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, Design for Wave Protection at Lock Entrance; Hydraulic Model Investigation,” Technical Report HL‐80‐7, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Miss., May, 1980.
4.
Carver, R. D., “Floating Breakwater Wave‐Attenuation Tests for East Bay Marina, Olympia Harbor, Washington; Hydraulic Model Investigation,” Technical Report HL‐79‐13, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Miss., July, 1979.
5.
Carver, R. D., Markle, D. G., and Dubose, W. G., “Sloping Float Breakwater Study: Oregon Inlet, N.C.,” U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Miss., unpublished.
6.
Davidson, D. D., “Wave Transmission and Mooring Force Tests on Floating Breakwater, Oak Harbor, Washington; Hydraulic Model Investigation,” Technical Report H‐71‐3, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Miss., Apr., 1971.
7.
Giles, M. L., and Sorensen, R. M., “Prototype Scale Mooring Load and Transmission Tests for a Floating Tire Breakwater,” TP 78‐3, U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, CE, Fort Belvoir, Va., Apr., 1978.
8.
Hales, Lyndell Z., “Floating Breakwater: State‐of‐the‐Art, Literature Preview,” TR 81‐1, U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, CE, Fort Belvoir, Va., Oct., 1981.
9.
Harms, V. W., and Bender, T. J., “Preliminary Report on the Application of Floating‐Tire‐Breakwater Design Data,” Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Research Report No. 78‐1, State University of New York, Buffalo, N.Y., Apr., 1978.
10.
Harms, A. W. et al., “Wave Transmission and Mooring Force Characteristics of Pipe‐Tire Floating Breakwaters,” TP 82‐4, U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, CE, Fort Belvoir, Va., Oct., 1982.
11.
Kamel, A. M., and Davidson, D. D., “Hydraulic Characteristics of Mobile Breakwaters Composed of Tires or Spheres,” Technical Report H‐68‐Z, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, CE, Vicksburg, Miss., June, 1968.
12.
Office, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army, “Layout and Design of Shallow‐Draft Waterways,” EM 1110‐2‐1611, Washington, D.C., Dec., 1980.
13.
Raichlen, F., “Experiments on an Inclined Pontoon Breakwater in Water Waves,” Report No. N62583/78 M R668, U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Laboratory, Port Hueneme, Calif., Nov., 1978.
14.
Richey, E. P., and Heavner, J. W., “Floating Breakwater Field Experience, West Coast,” MP 82‐5, U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center, CE, Fort Belvoir, Va., July, 1982.
15.
Taylor, N. J., Jones, D., and Beard, R. M., “Handbook for Uplift‐Resisting Anchors,” U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Laboratory, Port Hueneme, Calif., Sept., 1975.
16.
U.S. Navy, “Design Manual‐Harbor and Coastal Facilities,” NAVFAC DM‐26, July, 1968.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering
Volume 111Issue 2March 1985
Pages: 304 - 318

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1985
Published in print: Mar 1985

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Bruce L. McCartney, M. ASCE
Hydr. Engr., Hydr. and Hydrology Div., Office Chief of Engrs., U.S. Army Corps of Engrs., Washington, D.C. 20314

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share