Hyperbolic Paraboloid Free-Surface Breakwaters: Hydrodynamic Study and Structural Evaluation

This study investigates the potential of hyperbolic paraboloid (hypar) shapes for enhancing wave attenuation and structural efficiency in Free-Surface Breakwaters (FSBW). A decoupled approach combining Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed to analyze hypar-faced FSBW performance across varying hypar warping values and wave characteristics. SPH simulations, validated through experiments, determine wave attenuation performance and extract pressure values for subsequent FEM analysis. Results indicate that hypar-faced FSBW produces increased wave attenuation compared to traditional flat-faced designs, particularly for shorter wave periods and smaller drafts. Furthermore, hypar surfaces exhibit up to three times lower principal stresses under wave loading compared to the flat counterpart, potentially allowing for thinner surfaces. The study also shows that peak-load static stress values provide a reasonable approximation for preliminary design, with less than 6% average difference compared to dynamic analysis results. In summary, this research presents hypar-faced FSBW as a promising alternative in coastal defense strategies, offering effective wave attenuation and structural efficiency in the context of rising sea levels and increasing storm intensities.