1)

Head of Coastal Engineering Research Laboratory, Hasanuddin University, Jl. PerintisKemerdekaan Km.10,
Makassar 90245; email: athaha_99@yahoo.com.
2)
Master Course Student in Civil Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Makassar.
9

International Seminar on Infrastucture Development in Cluster
Island Eastern Part of Indonesia, Baubau, Indonesia

RAFT FLOATING BREAKWATER FOR STEEP BEACHES PROTECTION
M.A.Thaha
1
and A.M.Syamsuri
2
ABSTRACT: one of the problems that occur in many coastal states is a wave attack on the steep coasts.
This study aims to obtain a protection system that effectively and efficiently in reducing the wave
height particularly on the steep shores using raft floating structure. Physical modeling studies have been
undertaken within 1:10 scale in the Hydrodynamics Laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin
University. Nine models which can be distinguished raft floating on stem density (,) and draft (z) and
simulated with wave height and period in several variations. The measured variables are wave height both in
front and behind the models. The analyzed parameters are the maximum and minimum wave height (H
max

and H
min
), incoming, transmission and reflection wave height (H
i
, H
t
and H
r
) and a coefficient of
transmission and reflection wave heights (K
t
and K
r
). The results indicated that the friction parameter (),
which is a function of the combined effected parameter (H
i
/L; z/h and ,), is a significantly influence on K
t
.
Increasingly the wave steepness (H
i
/L) and/or the structures draft (z/h) and/or the raft structure density (,)
then decreasing the transmitted wave height. Reflected wave height (K
r
) was found rather small which is
only about 10% from incoming wave height. These results indicated that dissipated wave heights are
significantly large. The resulting curves and equation can be used for designing floating structures in the
field as an alternative to overcome problems of coastal protection especially on the steep coasts.

Key words : raft floating structure, friction parameter, the transmission coefficient, reflection coefficient.


INTRODUCTION
Recently, coastal areas are under heavy
pressure both natural and human activities. The
reality on the ground shows the severe damage
to the beach had been in a worrying stage.
Coastal erosion/abrasion and storm surge threat
on the coastal settlements and/or the beach
attractions are among the serious problems
facing today. One aspect that is sometimes an
obstacle is the steep coast sectional shape which
may result in high cost of development is
needed when using the types of breakwater built
from the bottom waters. This paper presents the
result of physical model simulation of the
floating breakwater which made from a series
stems are arranged like a raft. To halt the
floating structures that are not borne waves, we
used good anchor system of ballast in the base
structure and the stake. The expected goal is to
get protection model that effectively and
efficiently address the wave heights that attack
the coastal areas on the steep coast. This study
aimed to assess the effect of draft model (z/h)
and a raft density () for the reduction of wave
heights in coastal areas, especially the steep
coast once found a dimensionless parameter that
can be used to design prototypes in field
conditions.
Development of floating breakwater has
increased significantly in the past decade. Many
studies discuss and learn about the floating
breakwater (TWU and Lee, 1983; Guo et al., 1996
in Murali and Mani, 1997; etc.). Floating
breakwaters is an alternative solution to the
conventional fixed breakwaters and can be used
effectively in the coastal areas with a moderate
wave environment. Floating breakwater structure
is suitable for the condition of unfavorable soil
and environmental, deep sea, beach with erosion
phenomenon (McCartney, 1985 in Taha, 2008).
Floating breakwater has many advantages over a
permanent breakwater. It can reduce wave energy,
and flexible in which easily moved and
reassembled with different layouts (Fousert, 2006
in Thaha, 2010), lower cost and easy installation
(Hales, 1981 in Thaha, 2010). Most of the floating
breakwater construction depends on the wave
approach, considering other environmental
parameters. Draft-width relationship is the most
important factor that determines the performance
of the floating breakwater (Fousert, 2006).
When the waves propagate through an
obstacle, a part of energy will be destroyed through
the process of friction, turbulence and wave
breaking. The rest will be reflected and transmitted.
The distribution of reflected, dissipated and
transmitted wave energy depends on the
characteristics of the incoming wave (wave height
and period), the type of coastal protection (smooth
or rough surfaces, porous or impermeable and the
dimensions and geometry of protection (slope,
elevation and width barriers) as well as local
Raft Floating Breakwater for Steep Beaches Protection

10

environmental conditions (water depth and the
basic contours of the beach) (CERC, 1984). The
amount of dissipated wave height (H
d
) is the
incoming waves (H
i
) deducted bythe reflected and
transmitted wave height (H
r
and H
t
) (Thaha, 2001).
If a wave having an imperfect reflection hit a
barrier, the wave height H
i
will be greater than the
reflected wave height H
r
. Period of incoming wave
and reflected wave is the same, so the wavelengthis
same too. Total wave profile in front of the barrier
is (Dean and Dalrymple, 1994):
( ) ( ) c o o q + + + = t kx
H
t kx
H
r i
cos
2
cos
2
(1)
The above equation will quantify maximum
and minimum water level of standing wave such
mention as follows (Paotonan.C, 2006):
2
max
r i
t
H H +
= q &
2
min
r i
t
H H
= q (2)
By eliminating Equations (1) and (2) is obtained:
2
min max
H H
H
i
+
= &
2
min max
H H
H
r

= (3)
If the waves which hit the barrier partially
transmitted, then the pass wave going through the
same thing as when hitting a barrier. If the waves
are transmitted blocked by a barrier, the
transmissionwave height (H
t
) can be calculated by
the formula:
( ) ( )
2
min max t t
t
H H
H
+
= (4)
Thus, for experiments in the laboratory, measured
at some point either in front or behind the model to
determine the minimum and maximum wave
height. Furthermore, by using Equation (3) to (4)
the incoming, transmission and reflection wave
heights can be calculated.
The wave reflection is presented by the
reflection coefficient (K
r
), which is the ratio
between the height of the wave reflection (H
r
) and
incoming wave height (H
i
) or written K
r
= H
r
/H
i
.
The K
r
values ranged from 1.0 for total reflection
and 0 for no reflection in which transmission
coefficient (K
t
) can be calculate by the equation K
t

= H
t
/H
i
.
According to Horikawa (1978), the amount of
dissipated wave energyis the incoming wave
energy reduced by the amount of transmittedand
reflected wave energy (K
d
= 1-K
r
-Kt).



Physical Model Basic Law

The basic concept of modeling with a scale model
is reshaping the prototype problem or phenomenon
in a smaller scale, so that the phenomena that occur
in the model would be congruent (similar) to those
in the prototype.
According to Yuwono (1996), congruent
geometric similarity which is a form that is in the
form of a prototype model of the same but can be
different sizes. Comparison between all the length
between the model and prototype are the same. In a
perfect congruence of geometric length scale
horizontal direction (length scale) and the scale of
the vertical length (height scale) is the same, while
the distorted scale model length and height scales
are not the same. Geometric congruence can be
expressed in the form n
L
= L
p
/L
m
and n
h
= h
p
/h
m
,
where n
L
is the length scale; n
h
is high scale; L
p
is
the length of the prototype; L
m
is the length of the
model; h
p
is the height on the prototype and hm is
height on the model.
Unvarying kinematic similarity is eligible and
comparison congruent geometric flow velocity and
acceleration at two points on the model and
prototype in the same direction is equally great.
Velocity scale given notation n
u
, n
a
is an
acceleration scale and the time scale defined in
terms of n
t
. Velocity scale (n
u
) = u
p
/u
m
=n
L
/n
T
; n
a
=
a
p
/a
m
= n
L
/n
T
2
; n
Q
= Q
p
/Q
m
= n
L
3
/n
T
; n
T
= T
p
/T
m
.
Unvarying dynamic similarity is eligible
congruent geometric and kinematic, and
comparison of the forces acting on the model and
prototype for all streaming in the same direction is
equally great. In this study, will use the same
length scale with height scale (undistorted models)
and uses similarity Froude (F
r
) = U
2
/gL. Thus the
ratio of inertial force and gravity on the model and
prototype must match the n
Fr
= n
U
/n
L
0,5
where n
Fr
=
Fr
p
/Fr
m
= 1. While the time scale and the scale of
gravity written n
T
= n
L
1/2
and n
g
= 1.

RESEARCH METHOD

The study was conducted on an experimental basis
at the Hydrodynamics Laboratory of Ocean
Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin
University. Simulation of physical models with
geometric 1:10 scale models performed on a
floating structure made of a series of small bamboo
rod with a length of 5 layers within 276 cm 3
density variations (,
1
= 0.85; ,
2
= 0.43; ,
3
= 0.12)
and three variations of the depth of draft (z)
respectively z
1
= 4.17 cm; z
2
= 6.08 cm and z
3
= 8
cm of models thickness h = 9.20 cm. The models
were simulated with wave height (H) and wave
period (T) in many varieties. Figure 1 presents a
sketch of definitions and parameters are studied.
M.A.Thaha, et al


11

Wave height measured at the front and back of the
model for each experimental variant. The
parameters studied were the transmission
coefficient (K
t
) and the reflection coefficient (K
r
)
through floating structures that are affected by the
depth of submerged structures (z/h) and density
structure (,) on some models of wave conditions.
Data analysis was performed by multiparameter
regression to obtain a dimensionless relationship
between the floating structure which further
validated and can then be used to plan the details of
the dimensional structure of the field conditions.

Figure 1. Raft floating beakwater structure model.


RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Effect of Draft of Structure (z/h) on K
t
& K
r


In order to understand the relationships
between relative structures draft (z/h) and K
t
as
well as K
r
, then the relationships are presented in 3
density conditions (,
1
= 0.85; ,
2
= 0.43; ,
3
= 0.12).
Effect of wave characteristics also demonstrated
through the wave period (T). Figure 2 shows the
relationship z/h with K
t
at the 3 kinds of density.
In Figure 2 we can see the trend of draft depth
(z/h) and K
t
correlations are decreaseing non-linear
for all values of density (,) and wave period (T) for
the tested value of 0.32 z/h 0.97. In all of these
relationships are also seen smaller T value resulting
smaller value of K
t
.














Figure 2. Relationship z/h and K
t
for ,
1
.


Figure 3. Relationship z/h and K
t
for ,
2
.












Figure 4. Relationship z/h and K
t
for ,
3
.

When compared three graphs in each Figure 2,
Figure 3 & Figure 4, the structure has smaller
meeting K
t
. Figure 3 presents the sinking depth
relationship model (z/h) of the reflection
coefficient (K
r
).












Figure 5. Relationship z/h and K
r
for ,
1
.












Figure 6. Relationship z/h and K
r
for ,
2
.
Raft Floating Breakwater for Steep Beaches Protection

12












Figure 7. Relationship z/h and K
r
at

for ,
3
.

Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7 shows the
value of K
r
is relatively small at about 0.10 for all
three types of density. Similarly in the third graph
density structure (,) no significant changes in the
value of K
r
. Thus it can be said that the floating
structure for the range of densities studied quite
effectively minimize wave reflection.

Effect of Raft Density () on K
t
and K
r

Relationship between density of structure (,) with
K
t
and K
r
can be quantified on 3 draft conditions
(z/h= 0.453; z/h = 0.66 and z/h = 0.11) and the
results are presented in Figure 8 and Figure 9.












Figure 8. Relationship and K
t
at various z.












Figure 9. Relationship and K
r
at various z.

From Figure 8 and Figure 9 seen a significant
decline in the value of K
t
with increasing stem
density value chain. In addition, Figure 8 also
shows a slight increase of K
r
with increasing
density value at each different depth of draft a
different model. Figure 10 and Figure 11 presents
the effect of combined parameter ,z/h on K
t
and K
r
respectively.












Figure 10. Effect of z/ h on K
t
.












Figure 11. Effect of z/h on K
r
.

Figure 10 shows the effect ,z/h on K
t
which
combined with the increasing value of a
dimensionless parameter representing the structural
parameters significantly decrease exponentially K
t

value. Meanwhile, its effect on K
r
seems to be
insignificant such shown in Figure 11. Parameter
effects are presented in Figure 10 with only the
parameters of the floating structure. If the
combined effect of these parameters to influence
the characteristics of the wave, then the result can
be seen in the following analysis.

Efect of Friction Parameter () on K
t
and K
r
The final results showed that the friction
parameter () which is a function of the combined
effect parameter (H
i
/L; z/h and ,) is quite a
significant effect on K
t
, as shown in Figure 12. It
can be seen that the greater the value of the
decreases exponentially K
t
values. The increase of
wave steepness (H
i
/L) and/or the increase of the
structure draft (z/h) and/or the closer the raft
structure (,), the smaller the value of K
t
or further
will reduce the transmitted wave height. Test
models also provide results that for all variations of
the model, the magnitude of the reflected wave
height is relatively small (K
r
is small enough that
only about 0.10 or 10%). These results also
M.A.Thaha, et al


13

indicate that a large enough wave height muted or
dissipated by the floating structure.






Figure 12. Relationship of Friction Parameter ()
with K
t
and K
r
.
From the analysis results obtained in the form
of graphs and equations dimensionless parameter
relationships that K
t
= m.e
xp
-n
and K
r
= p.ln + q,
where = H
i
z/hL; m, n, p and q are constants.
The results are quite close to the previous study
results (Ridwan 2010) particularly in the trend of
K
t
and K
r
curve in the same study conditions. The
tendency of decrease exponentially of K
t
values
obtained in accordance with the theory of wave
amplitude reduction through attrition media (Dean
and Dalrymple, 1994).
Graphs and equations result can then be used
for planning and designing of raft floating
breakwater in the field as an alternative to
overcome the problems of coastal protection
especially on the steep coasts. Figure 13 illustrate
the used of the raft floating structure as an
alternative solution to saving the steep beaches area
from wave attack.













Figure 7. Illustration of the raft floating application
for steep beach protection.


CONCLUSIONS
1. The results showed that the friction parameter
() which is a function of combined parameter
(H
i
/L; z/h and ,) is quite a significant effect on
K
t
.
2. Increasingly wave steepness (H
i
/L) and/or
structure draft (z/h) and/or closer the raft
structure (, greater) then the transmitted wave
height decreases exponentially.
3. Reflected wave height (K
r
) is quite small that
only about 0.10 or 10% of the height of the
incident wave). These results indicate that
dissipated wave height is fairly large.
4. The graphic and the equation results can be
used for prototype design as an alternative
system especially on the steep coasts.
5. The anchor strength expected to hold floating
structure has not been evaluated in this study
and it is expected to be further investigation.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors express highest thanks and
appreciation to DP2M Directorate General of High
Education, Ministry of Education for funding of
this research through Competitive Grant Research
2009.

REFERENCES
CERC, 1984, Shore Protection Manual,
Departement of the Army Waterway
Experiment Station, Corps of Engineering,
Coastal Engineering Research Center,
Fourth Edition, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington. Hampshire, London.
Dean, R. G. a. Dalrymple, 1984, Water Waves
Mechanics for Engineer and Scientist,
Prentice Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey.
Horikawa, K. 1978, Coastal Engineering.
University of Tokyo Press : Tokyo.
Murali dan Mani, 1997, Performance of Cage
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Sebagai Pemecah Gelombang Terapung,
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Makassar.
Raft Floating Breakwater for Steep Beaches Protection

14

Thaha A., 2010, The Performance of Floating and
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st
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Departement Hasanuddin University,
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