Interactions of horizontal porous flexible membrane with waves

The interaction of monochromatic incident waves with a horizontal porous fl exible membrane is investigated in the context of a 2D linear hydroelastic theory. First, a multidomain boundary element method is developed for a por ous membrane based on Darcy's fine-pore model. The inner solution uses a di screte membrane dynamic model and simple-source distribution over the entir e fluid boundaries. The outer solution is based on an eigenfunction expansi on method. The inner solution is then matched to the outer solution at the matching boundaries. Second, the corresponding analytic diffraction and rad iation solutions are obtained based on the multidomain eigenfunction expans ion method to better understand the relevant physics and confirm the bounda ry element method results. Using the developed computer program, the wave-b locking performance of a submerged horizontal porous membrane is tested wit h various system parameters, membrane porosity, and wave characteristics. T he wave numbers above the porous membrane are generally complex, and the im aginary parts contribute to the dissipation of wave energy. Therefore, the overall performance of the horizontal flexible membrane can be further enha nced by using proper porous material. The theory and numerical results are also verified through a series of model tests in a 2D wave tank.