Numerical investigation on wave attenuation performance of ecological bottom protection with oyster reefs

Gong Zheng¹; Li Xiaoyu¹; Jin Chuang¹²; Zhang Qian¹

doi:10.12284/hyxb20250107

Volume 47 Issue 12

Dec. 2025

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Gong Zheng¹，Li Xiaoyu¹，Jin Chuang¹², et al. Numerical investigation on wave attenuation performance of ecological bottom protection with oyster reefs[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(12)：94–102 doi: 10.12284/hyxb20250107

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Numerical investigation on wave attenuation performance of ecological bottom protection with oyster reefs

doi: 10.12284/hyxb20250107

1.
Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Coast Resources Development and Environment Security, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
2.
Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Development and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing 210000, China

Received Date: 2025-08-18
Rev Recd Date: 2025-11-05

Available Online: 2025-11-14

Publish Date: 2025-12-31

Abstract

Abstract

A two-dimensional numerical wave flume was developed using the open-source computational fluid dynamics platform OpenFOAM and its waves2Foam wave generation toolbox to simulate wave propagation over oyster reef ecological bottom protection under both regular and irregular wave conditions. The Volume of Fluid (VoF) method was employed to capture the free surface, while the k-ω SST turbulence model was used to resolve near-wall flow and energy dissipation processes. The model’s reliability in reproducing wave propagation characteristics was verified through comparison with physical model experiments. Parametric analyses were then conducted to examine the effects of curvature-based roughness coefficient (C_r), incident wave height (H_s), and reef flat water depth (h_r) on wave attenuation performance. Results show that roughness is the key factor controlling wave dissipation: when C_r > 0.2, the wave transmission coefficient under irregular waves decreases by 37%–42% compared with a smooth bed. Higher incident wave heights markedly enhance energy dissipation, whereas greater reef flat water depth weakens the dissipation effect of the rough surface. These findings provide quantitative guidance for optimizing the design of oyster reef ecological bottom protection structures and their application in coastal defense engineering.
- oyster reef ecological bottom protection,
- wave attenuation,
- numerical simulation,
- OpenFOAM,
- waves2Foam

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References(20)

References

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