This study presents a numerical investigation of the effectiveness of artificial reefs (ARs) in mitigating seabed liquefaction under gravity waves. A numerical model that simulates wave-induced dynamic response of seabed was developed and used. Results show that artificial reefs significantly alter local flow fields, inducing vertical upwelling, complex vortical structures, and enhanced turbulent kinetic energy, which contribute to the attenuation of wave-induced pressure fluctuations. Second, seabed response analysis revealed that reefs reduce excess pore pressure and increase effective stress, suppressing liquefaction. For example, cubic artificial reefs arranged in a 6 × 6 staggered layout with spacing equal to half the reef unit size reduced maximum liquefaction depth by up to 73.5%. Finally, parametric studies demonstrated that reef geometry, opening configuration, spatial arrangement, spacing, and key soil properties collectively play critical roles in liquefaction suppression. Cubic reef units with open designs, staggered layouts, and half unit spacing provided optimal stability. The findings provide practical guidance for the engineering design and deployment of artificial reefs in liquefaction susceptible coastal environments.
Wang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.