Numerical Investigations into Wave Attenuation Characteristics of Vegetation Belt in Terms of Vortex Shedding Due to Different Arrangement Configuration

The central purpose of deploying coastal vegetation is to form a final line of defense against flooding caused by extreme coastal events such as storm surges and tsunamis. The aim is to dissipate the kinetic energy of the incoming flow as it passes through the vegetation belt thus mitigating the subsequent inundation. In order to have an effective mitigation, the vegetation belt needs to be appropriately designed so as to induce a substantial dissipation of kinetic energy. This study investigates the wave-vegetation interaction of near shallow water wave numerically using IITM-RANS3D. The vortex shedding pattern of five different staggered arrangements has been investigated. An intensification of rotation within the vegetated patch was observed for closely placed vegetation. The wave height behind the vegetation patch was found to have correlation with said intensification of rotation. This paper discusses the qualitative dependence of wave attenuation due to the presence of vegetation belt in terms of vortex shedding.