Spectral Density Analysis for Wave Characteristics in Pohang New Harbor

Abstract

The Pohang New Harbor (PNH), located at the Yongil bay in the northeastern part of Pohang city, South Korea, has experienced extreme wave hazards of about 3.0-5.0 m in elevation due to the seasonal swell from the far ocean. In this paper, both analytical and numerical studies are performed to investigate the wave-induced oscillations in an arbitrary shaped harbor with corner point consideration. By taking the consideration of the actual topography and bathymetry data, the boundary of PNH is constructed. Our theoretical model is based on the assumptions of inviscid, irrotational fluid, infinitesimal wave amplitude, and finally, the Helmholtz equation and its Weber's solution. The numerical simulations are conducted to analyze the spectral density of the standing waves in PNH at eight respective synthetic record points. The simulation results are validated with real-time measurement data, which is obtained by wave heights and tide gauges at the specified record points within and outside the PNH. To improve the harbor's design, a tactic such as building the breakwater at the entrance of the harbor is implemented and then spectral density is estimated in the modified geometry of the PNH. The consequential effects are proposed at the same time, suggesting the feasibility of the improvement measures.