Author(s): Zichen Xu; Jiarui Lei
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Wave energy decay Coastal vegetation Combined wave-current flow Nature-Based Solution
Abstract: Coastal vegetation has drawn significant attention as a nature-based solution due to its role in wave attenuation. While the wave energy decay by vegetation has been studied under pure-wave and co-directional wave-current conditions, little research has focused on orthogonal wave-current conditions, which represent propagating waves and longshore currents in natural coastal environments. An analytical model is derived that integrates the current-to-wave velocity ratio (β) to describe wave decay by rigid submerged vegetation under orthogonal wave-current conditions. Force experienced by individual cylinders was measured, revealing that the drag coefficient of waves is applicable to orthogonal wave-current conditions. Wave heights were measured along vegetated basins. The presence of an orthogonal current significantly enhanced wave decay by vegetation. For flexible vegetation, the effective length framework was validated under orthogonal wave-current conditions. The analytical model will then be examined by considering a meadow of flexible vegetation by applying the effective length.
Year: 2025