Numerical and experimental investigation of nonlinear wave-current propagation over a submerged breakwater

The nonlinear wave-current propagation over a submerged rectangular breakwater on a flat seabed was investigated both experimentally and numerically. Experiments were conducted in a two-dimensional wave flume and numerical simulations were performed using the higher-order boundary element method (HOBEM) based on potential flow theory. Comparisons between the numerical results and experimental data indicate that the numerical model is capable of accurately modeling wave interactions with a submerged structure in uniform currents. Parametric studies were conducted to examine the effects of a current and the submerged breakwater on the wave profile, higher-order harmonic waves, and reflection coefficient.