Hydrodynamic Design of New Type of Artificial Reefs

The purpose of this research work is to study the hydrodynamic characteristics of a new type of artificial reef structure, in order to provide a structure with low flow resistance, which will be a more suitable shelter for fishes and marine organisms. The idea of the new artificial reef is based on the streamlined bicycle helmet design concept. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the helmet and hollow cube artificial reefs (ARs) of the same volume have been studied at different water depths and wave frequencies of Malaysia seas using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method. The finite volume RANSE (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Eqs.) code Ansys CFX was used for calculating the reefs drag force (FD) and flow characteristics, while the potential flow code Ansys Aqwa was used for calculating the reefs inertia force (FI). The Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model was used in the RANSE code. The results of the two ARs were then compared for studying the hydrodynamic improvement due to the use of streamlined helmet artificial reef on the flow pattern around it. The streamlined body of the helmet artificial reef enhances the flow pattern at the aft region of the reef and provides flow zones with moderate flow speed at this area, which can help fishes and marine organisms from finding good shelter. The special shape of the different openings in the body of the helmet artificial reef improves the condition of the flow velocity distribution inside the unit than that of the hollow cube unit, which can increase the amount of the nutrient to the living fishes and organisms inside the reef.