My approach is to construct model reef balls using a homemade wave flume to test the effectiveness of reef balls to attenuate waves. In my experiment, I constructed 6 miniature model reef balls using quick drying cement and a tin water trough.

 

Using fast setting concrete to create Reef Ball models

Miniature Reef Ball Models

    
        In order to create the waves, I used a paddle to generate a solitary wave to propagate through the trough, passing over the reef balls. Since the overall goal of the project is to measure the wave height before and after the reef balls, I needed a reliable method to measure the waves. I set up two rulers before and after the reef balls using cameras to monitor the wave heights as the wave propagated through the trough.

       To get a general idea of how the wave attenuation reacted to different water depth, my experiment involves two different water depths with the same wave height passing each time. However, in order for this experiment to be valid, some general assumptions must be made.

It is important to assume that the waves created in the experiment act as a regular wave. Regular waves act as the simplest representation of oceanic waves both mathematically and conceptually. A regular wave is a small amplitude linear wave that acts sinusoidal which has the following properties:

1. Wave steepness h/L <1
2. Relative wave height h/d<1
3. Pressure is constant at the free surface
   
4. No friction is present and the bed is impervious
5. Irrotational flow
6. Incompressible and homogenous fluid

Now applying these assumptions we can perform the experiment. To see my results follow me!!!