Study on the wave diffraction patterns in the Kakinada bay

Abstract

Kakinada is one of the major upcoming ports of India and holds great importance for shipping activities. This region is said to be low-lying area and highly susceptible to erosion. To protect the port from action of waves, tides and strong currents, breakwater was constructed at the entrance of the channel. Current study makes an attempt to understand how wave energy gets reduced and wave diffraction occurs due to presence of the breakwater. Numerical solution of the mild slope equation and diffraction pattern are studied using MIKE 21 PMS model. Intense wave activity is higher during south west monsoon season than north east monsoon season. Significant wave heights have reduced considerably to 0–0.15 m because of the breakwater during both the seasons and no waves are entering inside the bay. Waves have bent at the breakwater due to diffraction along with the formation of concentric ripples with the decreased wave heights.