LABORATORY STUDIES OF WIND-WAVE INTERACTIONS.
Abstract
It is confirmed that the velocity distribution essentially follows the logarithmic law near the water surface and the velocity-defect law toward the outer edge of the boundary layer. Calculated from these distributions, the wind stresses and surface roughnesses are divided into two groups separated by the occurrence of wave-breaking phenomenon. For sufficiently low wind velocity, U, the surface roughness is dictated by ripples and the wind-stress coefficient varies with U to the -1/2 power. The average height of the basic gravity wave is proportional to the surface roughness at higher wind velocities; the stress coefficient is then proportional to U. In addition, it is found that the Charnock's expression holds only at high wind velocities, and that the constant of proportionality determined from the experiment correlates very well with the field observations. Finally, the wind-stress coefficient is shown to be larger than the friction coefficient for turbulent flow along a solid rough surface; the difference is shown to be the wave drag of the wind over the water surface. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0659178
Entities
People
- Jin Wu