An experimental study on wave transmission over submerged SEAHIVE® breakwaters

In response to the growing demand for efficient coastal protection, particularly in regions like South Florida, this study introduces the SEAHIVE system – a novel modular breakwater composed of hollow, perforated hexagonal concrete units. Scaled physical testing investigations in a wave flume evaluated various single-row SEAHIVE configurations with 6, 9, and 12-unit arrays for their wave attenuation capabilities under regular waves. The study found that the system’s modular porosity effectively enhances hydrodynamic performance. Perforated SEAHIVE models consistently exhibited lower wave transmission coefficients than their solid counterparts across nearly all relative submergence levels, particularly at higher submergence values where internal flow pathways are most active. Increasing the number of units and crest width significantly reduced wave transmission, mirroring the importance of horizontal extent observed in traditional breakwaters for energy dissipation. Moreover, studies on inter-row spacing in double-row SEAHIVE models indicate that wider gaps can further reduce wave transmission, especially in moderate conditions. Given that the SEAHIVE system is a novel technology with limitations in existing predictive models, a new, system-specific empirical correction was developed to accurately forecast its performance under regular waves. Overall, the study highlights SEAHIVE’s significant potential as an effective breakwater solution for modern coastal challenges.