The hybrid system of wave energy converters (WECs) using coastal structures is an attractive issue in terms of a decrease in construction costs and an improvement of the ability to capture wave energy. Most studies on the utilization of reflected waves from structures, which is one of the hybrid systems, are limited to mathematical analysis based on linear theories. Therefore, this paper presents fundamental experimental results in the presence of a reflection wall simplified as a coastal structure behind a bottom-hinged flap-type WEC under unidirectional regular waves. The behavioral characteristics and the power generation efficiency k_e of the flap were investigated, focusing on wave steepness, initial water depth, and distance from the reflection wall. The results show that the condition of the initial water depth being smaller than the flap height is more effective in terms of avoiding unstable rotating of the flap. The maximum k_e appeared slightly far from the node position of the standing waves because the flap shape and the power take-off (PTO) damping induce the phase difference between the reciprocating behavior of the flap and the period of the standing wave. The results imply that the optimum position of a WEC is dependent on WEC shape, PTO damping, and installation water depth.

Coastal disasters such as sliding, settlement, and overturning of coastal structures as well as subsidence of reclaimed areas occur due to toe scouring and backfilling sand discharge. In this study, the sand discharge mechanism from a gap under a vertical revetment without wave absorption and foot protection is investigated using hydraulic model experiments and newly developed numerical simulations. In the hydraulic model experiments, sand discharge and sinkholes similar to those observed in the field surveys are reproduced, and it is found that sand discharge is very sensitive to wave steepness and relative gap height. In numerical simulations, a comparison with the experimental data demonstrates the validity of the numerical methods. It is revealed that sand discharge tends to occur with an increase of the maximum seaward velocity just outside the gap under the revetment as well as the maximum volumetric strain inside the most offshore side of the sand inside the gap.

This study investigated the interaction between containers under extreme hydrodynamic conditions modeled on tsunamis to assess whether the number and layout of containers affect their motion and to guide future studies on numerical simulations describing tsunami-debris motion. The three-dimensional Fluid–Structure–Sediment–Seabed Interaction Model (FS3M), which can compute tsunami–container interaction, was used as a numerical test model, and numerical results for the specific target of the simulation were compared with experimental data to check the validity and computational accuracy of the FS3M. The study showed that the number of rows (N_x), columns (N_y), and stacks (N_z) in the initial arrangement of containers constitute the main factor affecting the area where the containers spread and their drift motion velocity. An increase in N_x and N_z can effectively reduce the container drift velocity. Conversely, as N_y increases, the drift motion velocity of the center of gravity of the entire group increases. The results of this study can facilitate the development of more realistic building structure scenarios in future research that consider the proposed characteristic damage estimation and comprehensive assessment methods laid out herein.