Floating Breakwater Products
A floating breakwater system for waterfront & marina protection.
The “WaveBraakker™” is a scientifically designed system to not only serve as a wave barrier but also to reduce the wave forces and mitigate the traditional “Bounce Back” effects experienced with rigid barrier concepts.
The system is assembled from specially shaped modules. They are positioned in a configuration with alternate positions vacant and forming voids or cavities.
These cavities generate turbulence in the flowing waters and in turn reduce the wave force and magnitude by the resulting resonator or self-canceling effect. Depending on the size of the waves, the cross sectional area of the system might be increased or decreased.
The modules are rotary molded of LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene). We have selected green to signify that green solution to wave reduction.
This material is extremely tough in cold or heat and is not brittle. The finished wall thickness is a minimum of ¼ Inch and produces a rugged long life product (estimated at 20- 25 years). The material in the modules is environmentally friendly and is not known to release chemicals harmful to the environment or marine life.
The modules have three (3) “ears” on each end.
Long life synthetic fiber ropes are strung through holes in the ears to allow stringing together sections of the full assembly. This multi-string approach is much like stringing beads for a necklace. Buyers selecting the intrusion barrier have the option of selecting wire rope. All modules have stainless steel sleeves in the holes to minimize wear to the module.
Other variations of the “Base Line” design can be configured to suit the particular environmental requirements of the site. One (1) example might be closely passing deep draft vessels such as catamarans or ocean going ships. In these instances, the system may need to be deeper to control the subsurface wave action.
View of Wavebraakker™
View of floating barrier
View of artificial reef.
Floating breakwater systems typically float with the upper portion above the calm water surface and the lower portion submerged below the surface.
The visible above water surface position contains the visible waves. The below water portion free floods and controls the subsurface waves. LLDPE has a specific gravity slightly less that fresh water and will always float at or near the water surface and not sink to the bottom.
WaveBraakker™ sections can be outfitted with Warning Signs or Lights to suit local regulatory requirements.
The system floats partially submerged near the water surface to control the primary wave action. It does not extend to the lake bottom or sea floor or interfere with normal marine life in the lower portion of the water column.
The floating system is held in position with mooring lines and anchors to resist the oncoming wave forces. A lesser number of mooring lines and anchors are positioned on the leeward side of the system to maintain relative position during slack weather conditions or reduced water levels.
For normal tidal or seasonal water level variations, a simple catenary mooring system with locally made concrete clump weight anchors is adequate. For greater water level variations, it may be advisable to add mid length weights to the mooring lines to reduce the slack and maintain tighter control of the position.
Applications with considerable water level variations will require more complex moorings. The more common system uses manual or electric driven winches with wire ropes and periodic, possibly daily adjustment to compensate for water level variations. In recent years, a self regulating system has been introduced to the marine market. This system is typically site specific engineered by the supplier and uses something that in principle resembles Bungee Cords. Within their water level variation capabilities, the mooring lines stretch or contract to maintain the position of the floating object (breakwater system, floating dock, anchored vessel, etc.). There are at least two (2) known suppliers of this type mooring system.
The WaveBraakker™ system is most commonly recommended for floating breakwater or wave barrier applications. Less sophisticated variations of the system may also be used for floating security barriers or for lines of demarcation around swimming areas, etc.
Another mooring system uses pilings positioned at selected intervals. The floating sections are attached to “Slip Rings” which slide up and down on the pilings with changes of water level.
For a “Cost Free” – “No Obligation” evaluation of your particular location, please contact us at sales@wavebraakker.com.
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