Perforated Wave Barriers in Small Boat Piers

by Kenneth M. Childs, Jr., Childs Engineering Corp, Medfield, MA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Ports '86

Abstract:

Perforated breakwaters can be used to reduce the energy and the height of waves entering small boat harbors. By not extending the breakwater to the bottom interference with littoral drift is minimized. By allowing some of the wave energy to pass through the breakwater, the resulting reactive forces on the pier can be kept low. This paper describes the background research leading to, and the design of, two different perforated breakwaters in use on the Massachusetts coast. This type of breakwater will reduce wave energy while not significantly interfering with the movement of sand along the bottom.

Subject Headings: Coastal protection structures | Breakwaters | Piers | Water waves | Small craft | Littoral drift | Renewable energy | Massachusetts | United States

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