INTERACTIONS OF A HORIZONTAL FLEXIBLE MEMBRANE WITH OBLIQUE INCIDENT WAVES

The interaction of oblique monochromatic incident waves with a horizontal flexible membrane is investigated in the context of two-dimensional linear hydro-elastic theory. First, analytic diffraction and radiation solutions for a submerged impermeable horizontal membrane are obtained. Second, the theoretical prediction was compared with a series of experiments conducted in a two-dimensional wave tank at Texas A&M University. The measured reflection and transmission coefficients reasonably follow the trend of predicted values. Using the developed computer program, the performance of surface-mounted or submerged horizontal membrane wave barriers is tested with various system parameters and wave characteristics. It is found that the properly designed horizontal flexible membrane can be an effective wave barrier and its efficiency can be further improved using a porous material.