Work

Quantitative Assessment of Wave Reflection from Oscillating Water Column Devices and Empirical Prediction of Reflection Coefficients

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study experimentally investigated the wave reflection characteristics of a vertical-type OWC installed by partially removing a section of an existing rubble mound breakwater under irregular wave conditions. Hydraulic model experiments were carried out for multiple water depths and irregular wave conditions representative of OWC operation. The results demonstrated that the OWC structure generally exhibited lower reflection coefficients compared with conventional vertical breakwaters, indicating a low-reflection behavior even in random seas. The influence of the non-dimensional amplitude of free-surface oscillations inside the chamber on the reflection coefficient was examined. In addition, an empirical formula for predicting the reflection coefficient under irregular waves was proposed based on key dimensionless parameters, and its accuracy was validated against experimental data. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the design and performance evaluation of OWC devices and to provide useful input for harbor tranquility assessments in coastal and port engineering practice.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse14020174

Authors: Su-Young Lee, Kwang-Ho Lee

Institution: Korea Maritime and Ocean University

Language: English

Topic: Coastal and Marine Dynamics

Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funders: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korea Institute of Marine Science and Technology promotion