On the characterization of waves interacting with circular artificial islands. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The behaviour of waves interacting with manmade islands has gained renewed interest in recent years. The conception and subsequent construction of conical earth fill islands for exploratory drilling in the Arctic is only one example of this growing technology. Other island concepts which have been proposed include the offshore siting of industrial complexes, power generating facilities and ship terminals. Not all of the artificial islands designs are planned to be symmetric. However, this paper focuses upon a type of summetric artificial island characterized by concentric circular contours which vary with water depth. Dimensionless curves are presented which clearly depict the characteristics of these circular, artificial islands. The island profiles of Arthur and Picinki, as well as Arctic type conical islands, are examined using Arthur's ray theory. The island characteristics discussed include wave number, wave capture, wave amplitude, wave breaking and surf zone portraits. Research results from previous investigations of wave island interactions for conical islands are also discussed. The methodology presented can be used to initially assess trends and to evaluate the need for more refined analyses. (A)

author list (cited authors)

  • Niedzwecki, J. M.

complete list of authors

  • Niedzwecki, JM

publication date

  • January 1983