Plunging wave forces on surface-piercing structures

Abstract

An experimental study of deepwater plunging wave laods on vertical walls and cylinders is reported. Simultaneous measurements of the forces and pressures are obtained. The characteristics of the impact loads and the scaling of pressures from model results to prototype scales are discussed. Overall, the characteristics of forces and pressures vary systematically with the structure's location relative to the wave-breaking location. Impacts on cylinders are similar to those on a flat plate; however, the presence of the wall has a larger influence on the dynamics of impact compared to that of the cylinder.