Experimental modeling of wave load on a pile-supported wharf with pile breakwater

A hybrid structure of pile-supported wharf connecting with pile breakwater is tested in a flume with a scale factor of 1:30. Based on generating regular and irregular waves and accurately reproducing bed profile by using pulverized coal, both wave, scour and load characteristic of this structure are investigated. When structure under wave impact, violent wave reflection is observed and wave transmission is small. With the large wave height and water depth, wave overtopping is significant and induces bigger green water height. Compared with bed without covering layer, rubble covering layer obviously decreases the scour range of bed profile. Pressures of the structure have distinct spatial distribution characteristics. The existing plates between piles of breakwater can easily trap the air during wave attack and induce significant impact pressure. Besides, superstructure of pile-supported wharf is mainly suffered from uplift pressure and attains the maximum pressure when air gap becomes zero. Due to dynamic response of structure, measured forces have smaller values and larger periods than integrated forces, and both horizontal and vertical measured forces decrease with increasing relative wave height. The findings and data presented here may be used by oceanic numerical modelers and engineers, for future research as well as predesign.