Numerical investigation on the hydrodynamic behavior of a novel floating breakwater with double-layer thin plates using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method

Optimizing wave dissipation structures has become a critical focus in ocean engineering research with the increasing demand for coastal protection and marine infrastructure development. In order to further improve the wave dissipation performance of floating breakwater, this paper proposes a novel type of floating breakwater configuration with double-layer wave-absorbing plates. Five kinds of connections between the two damping plates, and their hydrodynamic performance, were investigated by the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. The wave attenuating performance of the traditional rectangular floating breakwater was also examined accordingly. It was found that the novel floating breakwater equipped with damping plates, particularly those with a rigid connection configuration, can significantly improve wave dissipation performance. This enhancement is attributed to two synergistic mechanisms: first, the plates increase the effective vertical draft of the structure, extending its wave-interaction area; second, they promote the generation of intensive shear and wake vortices, which directly dissipate wave energy. Furthermore, the motion response of the novel breakwater is also improved, especially for the rigidly connected configuration, which contributes to its overall wave attenuation efficacy. This paper presents a novel perspective on breakwater design, offering valuable reference for practical engineering projects.