The course aims at describing possible sustainable solutions for port
layouts, with specific reference to floating breakwaters, possibly integrated
to wave energy converters. The tools to predict the motion of free and moored
floating structures, especially where the wave force is of primary importance,
will be discussed. Prerequisites are a knowledge of the basics of fluid
mechanics, rigid body dynamics, Fourier transforms, programming languages.
Topics that will be covered: Motivations and Objectives. Definition of a sea
wave. Sinusoidal waves and Euler's formula. Potential flow. Airy's theory.
Non-linear approaches. Progressive and evanescent waves. Dispersion
relationship. Waves in deep, intermediate, and shallow water. Irregular waves.
Characterization in the time domain. Irregular waves. Characterization in the
frequency domain. Floating breakwaters (types and mooring systems). Performance
(Ruol formula) and typical applications. Integration with wave energy
converters. Diffraction and radiation problems. Hydraulic impedance of a
floating body. Classwork (numerical examples): Wave characterization in the
time and frequency domain (Hrms, Hs, Hmo, Tm, Tp, Tm-1, etc.). Response of a
floating breakwater moored with piles (Response Amplitude Operator).
The exam will consist of the presentation and discussion of the project homework assigned during the
course (and similar to the classwork).
- Docente: Luca Martinelli