A Predictive Formula for Wave Reduction due to Bamboo Breakwaters

Abstract

Bamboo breakwaters have been employed as coastal protection measures for muddy coasts in several areas of Thailand. These structures serve to dissipate wave energy, promote sediment deposition, and provide a sheltered zone for mangrove reforestation. Although general guidelines for installing bamboo breakwaters exist, there is still no clear engineering methodology for designing such structures. This study conducted wave reduction experiments on bamboo breakwaters in a wave flume, utilizing 35 test cases with varying wave heights and frequencies, along with 4 cases of bamboo breakwater configurations with differing numbers of rows. A total of 140 experimental cases were performed. The experimental results were then used to develop a predictive formula for wave reduction by bamboo breakwaters, accounting for the characteristics of the incident waves and the configuration of the breakwaters. The formula aims to serve as an engineering tool for designing bamboo breakwaters for wave dissipation along the coastline.