Analytical study of linear long-wave reflection by a two-dimensional obstacle of general trapezoidal shape

Abstract

In this paper, an analytical solution for linear long-wave reflection by an obstacle of general trapezoidal shape is explored. A closed-form expression in terms of first and second kinds of Bessel functions is obtained for the wave reflection coefficient, which depends on the relative lengths of the two slopes and top of the obstacle as well as the depth ratios in front of and behind the obstacle versus that above the obstacle. The analytical solution obtained in this study finds a few well-known analytical solutions to be its special cases, which include the wave reflection from a rectangular obstacle, an infinite step, and an infinite step behind a linear slope. The present analytical solution, however, covers a much wider range of problems. It is found that the periodicity of the wave reflection coefficient as the function of the relative length of the obstacle remains when two slopes are present but with a reduced magnitude. The phenomenon of zero wave reflection from the structure is special to a rectangular obstacle only, which disappears with the addition of a slope in front or at the rear. The new solution may be very useful in some engineering applications, for example, the design of a submerged breakwater of trapezoidal shape. Journal of Engineering Mechanics © ASCE.