S6A P79

FLOATING WAVE ATTENUATOR :

A CHALLENGING CASE STUDY ON THE MAGGIORE LAKE , ITALY

Ing. Sara LANZONI

Sistema Walcon, Italy

Abstract
In September 1999 Sistema Walcon has decided to accept the challenge - to study the mooring
system of a floating breakwater in Verbania, Lago Maggiore , Italy.
The Lakes of North Italy are very particular from their geological configuration as they are part of
the Alpine system, generated during the Tertiary. As you may know, under their water surfaces, the
landscape is very similar to the surroundings one: the taller mountains are and deeper is the lake, the
slope remaining usually the same.
The main issue for the Maggiore Lake was the mooring system in deep waters and where the
ground was in rock with a steep slope. Another issue was the correct dimensioning of the
breakwater modules considering the climate conditions of the lake and the related mooring forces
taking place.
A team of our engineers sorted out a bright idea based on flexible mooring system. To evaluate the
feasibility, Sistema Walcon carried out some physical experiments in an artificial basin to better
define the behaviour of the whole configuration.
The tests on the breakwater done on scaled model have been very useful to learn the entity of the
forces playing a major role on the overall system: waves attenuator modules and the long, flexible
mooring lines. After months of experiments we were able to establish with a good precision: the
forces along the mooring lines, the forces in the stainless steel cables used for the joints between the
modules and the wave attenuation capacity.
Only a few figures to give you an idea of the size of the project: 15 breakwaters units 75-Ton
weight, 62 mooring lines settled from -0,50m to -65/100 m, 62 10-Ton weight concrete anchors left
at 65-100 m depth and at 500 m from the coast, thousands meters of high tenacity rope, 5-strand
seaflex 4 meters long, 1.400 m of stainless steel cable.
The whole work took 7 months - from June 2000 to January 2001. During this period of time, we
had also to suffer of very bad climatic condition during the course of October/November, where as
the heavy rains increased the level of the lake above any historical data. Nevertheless everything
has been done.
Since last January, the floating structures have been working well. Given the very particular
circumstances, it is really important to have a regular maintenance plan in order to control the
conditions of each element. This installation is like “machine”: the overall functionality relies on
the smooth running of the single components.

1.0 Introduction
During September ’99 had been decided from Sistema Walcon to accept the challenge of studying
the mooring system of a floating breakwater in Verbania, Italy.
Lakes of North Italy are very particular speaking of geological configuration: they are parts of the
Alpine system, generated during the Quaternary. It is easy to understand that under their water
surfaces the landscape is very similar to the surroundings one: tall mountains outside and deep
creek inside.

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 Verbania harbour - Overall view.

The big deal on the Maggiore Lake was concerned with the mooring system in deep waters and
rock bottom, steep slope from the coast. Another issue was the correct dimensioning of the
breakwater modules connected to the lake climate conditions and the mooring forces.
A team of engineers sorted out with the idea of a flexible mooring system and, at the same time, had
been organized physics experimentations in an artificial basin to better define the behaviour of the
whole configuration.
By June 2000 every single details was designed, tested and under control.
Big was the satisfaction of the managing staff but the constructions works had already to be
undertaken.
Tests on the breakwater scaled model had been very useful to know the entity of the forces playing
a major role on the overall system: waves attenuator modules and the long, flexible mooring lines.

After months of experiments it could be possible to establish, with a good precision: forces along
the mooring lines, forces in the stainless steel cables of the joints between modules, wave
attenuation capacity.
Works on the site had started in June 2000 and finished in January 2001. During them there had
also had external, natural difficulties as the increased lake water level up on every historical data.
Nevertheless everything has been done.

Since January 2001 the floating structures have been working quite well. It is really important to
follow a maintenance plan in order to survey the conditions of the elements, this installation is a sort
of “machine”: the overall functionality relies on the function of the single components.

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2.0 General Plan

2
42,0

22,50

7 7
10

20
3 3

30
50

40
60
70
72

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3.0 Site Conditions

Wind sector Real fetch Effective fetch Wind velocity H1/3=Hs H1/10
(miles) (miles) (knots)
SSE 7,76 3,25 30 3 4
40 3,5 5
ENE 8,69 3,13 30 3 4
40 3,5 5
NE 9,77 4,018 30 3,5 5
40 4,5 6

- Min. water level = 192,00 m;

- Max water level = 197,61 m;
- Wind force = 2.400 N/m;
4
- Wind and wave action on a single module = 4.72 x 10 N

4.0 Wave Attenuator Testing

Testing view. Artificial basin

During the winter 1999, some testings, on a scaled model (scale 1:20), were carried out in order to
identify stresses along the steel cables which connect one module to the other one beside, to survey
the overall breakwater behaviour (mooring system included ) and to measure the wave attenuation.
In a public-private structure it had been possible to build the modules and to simulate different wave
climates capacity.
Four scaled modules were realised and moored in the artificial basin (40x40 metres) and were
invested by some specific waves trains: different wave heights, different directions and different
periods.

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The following table contains the wave climate range experimented:

Hs (m) Tp (s) Fp (Hz)

1,05 4,6 0,217

1,35 5,2 0,192
1,05 (*) 3,5 0,286
(*) Note: In order to investigate the possible influence of Tp on the forces that have to be measured,
it had been individuate a third spectrum characterized by a Hs=1,05 m and Tp=3,5 s (< Jonswap formula).

Model scale
Concerning with the hydraulic models the choice of the right scale is essential in order to minimize
the “surrounding” errors and to measure with sufficient precision the physic sizes: the exigency of
reproducing a big enough area around the wave attenuator model is extremely important to reduce
the scale errors.
The “1:20” scale had allowed the precise measure of the physic sizes, particularly those concerned
with the waves motion acting on the floating system. Moreover the adopted scale had permitted to
well reduce the module characteristics.
In order that the module behaviour was coherent to the prototype one it had been necessary to
maintain the opportune scale reductions: weight and barycentre position had let to obtain the right
draught and the right oscillation behaviour.
The main prototype and module characteristics are resumed in the following table:

DIMENSIONS REAL MODULE PROTOTYPE

Length 20 m 1000 mm

Width 4m 200 mm

Height 2m 100 mm

Free board 0,60 m 30 mm

Weight 75-80 Ton 9375 g

As important as the module sizes are the mooring system characteristics: model elongations under
forces actions have to be proportionally the same of the real one. Only in this way elongations and
forces surveyed on the model could be comparable to the reality and useful for the design of the
overall structure and particularly for the junction stainless steel cables and mooring lines.

Wave climate generation

The system wave generator and its software let to produce mainly two types of waves: pure random
and pseudo-random.
We had tested both types: the first one provides generation of statistically independent waves for an
indeterminate time, the second one provides generation of random waves in a determinate period of
time, following a sequence, the sequence can be reproduced several times.
The first type has advantages connected to the statistics validity, above all for maximum waves; the
second one is better for the sequence repetitiveness.

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Both two systems were adopted: one to study statistics wave phenomenon and max waves effects
on the structure, the other one to study wave spectrum shape and to measure significant wave height
in different conditions.

In order to deepen the study of this type of floating structures which use target is the harbour
protection, it is necessary to measure water level differences: outside and inside the barrier.
Resistive wave soundings were used to measure the instant water level through the reading of the
variations of global resistance. Those wave soundings are composed by two steel cables disposed in
parallel, distant each other ten millimetres, and put into the water connected to an electronic circuit.
Significant waves were deducted through spectral elaboration of the different surveys collected by
wave sounding.

Resistive wave soundings.

At this point it is important to remind the following meanings:

- Wave Height : distance from the top wave to the deepest or lowest part of the trough as
measured in the vertical;
- Wave Crest : vertical distance between the wave top and the still water level;
- Wave Trough : vertical distance between the still water level and lowest part of the wave;
- Wave Period T : time necessary for two consecutive crests to pass on the same point;
- Significant Wave Height : the average height of the highest one third of the waves that are
observed. It is import to know that significant wave is the wave that a person’s eye and brain
working together, observe and conclude when looking over the sea.

The wave climate studied was that surveyed for the specific site of Verbania: significant wave
height of 1,05 and 1,35 m correspondent to the maximum waves. The pick period associated to

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those significant wave heights were deducted from the Jonswap theory typical for internal seas or
lakes : Tp = 4,51 (Hs) ½.

See below picture:

1/2
Jonswap wave distribution : Tp = 4,51 (Hs) .

5.0 Testing Conditions – Results

Testing conditions: Hsn = 1,05 – 1,35 m ; Tp = 3,5 – 5,2 sec

Wave front parallel to the wave attenuator
Fmed KN connecting lateral cables Fmed KN connecting central cables
Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 11 Ch12
13 -27 9 – 23 6–8 8-9
Table A

Testing conditions: Hsn = 1,05 – 1,35 m ; Tp = 3,5 – 5,2 sec

Wave front angled
Fmed KN connecting lateral cables Fmed KN connecting central cables
Ch 9 Ch 10 Ch 11 Ch12
56 -94 59 – 87 17 – 27 15 -24
Table B

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 LAND SIDE

Ch11 Ch9
Mod.1 Mod.2 Mod.3 Mod.4

Ch12
Ch10
LAKE SIDE
Testing lay-out scheme.

Measuring instruments on connection cables.

From table A and B we can extract some important concepts:

⇒ Maximum stresses were measured with wave direction angled respect to the breakwater
alignment: these forces (Table B) are three times bigger than forces surveyed with wave
direction parallel (Table A).
⇒ If we compare forces in the different junction solutions we can easily observe that in Ch9
and Ch10 (longitudinal cables) figures are much higher than for Ch11 and Ch12 (crossed
cables – hinge).
⇒ Wave incident period does scarcely influence junction forces.
⇒ The longer is the wave period the stronger are forces in the longitudinal cables; crossed
cable are more stressed by short waves.

It were also tested different angled directions, other than 45°, and it came out that the smaller is the
angle between wave direction and breakwater the bigger are forces surveyed.

These testing were carried out in order to analyze forces effecting the wave attenuator system but
also to find out wave attenuation coefficient.
The wave attenuation test was settled with the wave generator parallel to the model and were
realized artificial beaches in order not to have wave reflection.
The following diagrams show the results of this survey. A very clear concept understood from this
study is connected to wave length: bigger attenuations correspond to short periods. Wave attenuator
efficiency almost disappear when wave period reaches a value close to 6 seconds.

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 Wave attenuation function of significant wave: (Hs; %attenuation).

Wave attenuation function of wave length: (L; %attenuation ).

6.0 Floating Structures Flexible Mooring

The elastic mooring system is a different “version” of the most traditional mooring with chains and
concrete anchors. The efficiency of this “new” system is based on the elastic component of the
single elements instead of the physic weight of chains and concrete blocks.

This solution has many advantages especially in those sites where there is a very height tide or
general water level difference because works with small angles to horizontal and consequently the
stress increasing (or reduction) is minimal compare to the weight variation of chains which could
effect the floating element. This is the main characteristic which improves the modules asset.

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For the Verbania project it was decided to adopt this type of mooring for two principal reasons:
- Seasonally water level difference : 4-5 metres;
- Water depth : from -5 m to -90 m;
- Slope: the bottom profile has, in a first part, a 10-15% slope, then, in a second part reaches
a 60-70% slope till a third part where it is more regular around 35%.

With these data it was impossible to apply a chain-concrete block mooring : too much weight on the
floating wave attenuator and very difficult maintenance operations.
Every single breakwater module 20x4 m is moored by 4 lines. Each line is composed by
polystyrene rope high tenacity 32mm diameter and a 5 strands elastic device, 4 meters long
The elastic mooring design had to keep into account : wind and wave forces acting directly on the
floating modules and on boats moored to them, and indirectly along the anchoring lines and rope-
elastics elongation.
With these data it was impossible to apply a chain-concrete block mooring : too much weight on the
floating wave attenuator and very difficult maintenance operations.
Every single breakwater module 20x4 m is moored by 4 lines. Each line is composed by
polystyrene rope high tenacity 32mm diameter and a 5 strands elastic device, 4 meters long
The elastic mooring design had to keep into account : wind and wave forces acting directly on the
floating modules and on boats moored to them, and indirectly along the anchoring lines and rope-
elastics elongation.

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 Section 3
32,30 4,00 151,37

-5,00

-20,00
-30,00
-40,00

86,00
-50,00
-60,00
-70,00
-80,00

Approximate conformation of the harbour deep sea

The right balance between these main factors had allowed to reach a good, even if totally
experimental, solution.
Some figures to think about the dimensions of the project: 15 breakwaters units 75-Ton weight, 62
mooring lines settled from -0,50m to -65/95 m, 62 10-Ton weight concrete anchors left at 65-95 m
depth and 1000 m from the coast, thousands meters of high tenacity rope, 5-strand seaflex 4 meters
long, 1.400 m of stainless steel cable, ... .

7.0 Bibliography

1) C.A. THORESEN. –“PORT DESIGN. Guidelines and Raccomandations”, Tapir Publisher

1988 (ISBN)82-519-0839-6).
2) E.C. BOWERS (1988) – “Wave grouping and harbour design”, Proc. Inst. Civ. ENGRS,
Part 2, 85, June – Paper 9266.
3) ENEL. HYDRO – Polo Idraulico e strutturale: “Analisi su modello fisico tridimensionale
del comportamento idrodinamico di breakwater galleggianti”. D. COLOMBO, A.
VEZZULLI, A. ELLI.
4) Ing. PAGANI e altri (1996) – “Analisi meteoclimatica e idrologica-B3”. Progetto nuovo
porto comunale di Verbania. Regione Piemonte, Settembre 1996.

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 5) M. de GERLONI, D. COLOMBO, S. PASTORI, F. BOLDRINI (1997); “Wave forces on
caisson breakwaters: optimization of hydraulic model test procedures”, Proceedings to the
st
1 Overall Project Workshop PROVERBS:
6) Probabilistic design tools for Vertical Breakwatwers, MAST III/MAS3-CT95-0041; Las
Palmas, 18-22 febbraio.
7) KORTENHAUS (1998); “On statistics of relative horizontal forces induced by impact and
non impact waves”, Proceedings to the 2nd Overall Project Workshop PROVERBS:
Probabilistic design tools for vertical Breakwaters, MAST III/MAS3-CT95-0041; Naples,
24-28 Febbraio.
8) Gilbert G. Thompson D.M. (1978); “Reflections in random waves, the frequency response
function method.” HRS Report IT 173, Hydraulics Research, March 1978
9) PIANC Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses: “Floating
Breakwaters-A Practical Guide for Design and Construction”. Supplement to bulletin n° 85
(1994).
10) Studio Conti Associati (2000); “Progetto esecutivo di Variante – Nuovo sistema di
ancoraggio degli elementi frangionde galleggianti”.

Key Words: Floating wave attenuator, breakwater, flexible mooring, challenge, Italy, testings.

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