High Solitary Waves in Water: Results of Calculations,
Abstract
This report presents results of calculations of certain properties of solitary waves in water as a function of wave strength, with emphasis on the highest and other high waves. A preceding report outlines the method used to arrive at the results presented here. The method involves a Fourier series solution of the flow field at various (numerical) resolutions to arrive at an estimate of limits as the resolution becomes infinitesimal. Values of the properties of intermediate and high waves possess 4 to 6 significant figure accuracies. For some solitary wave parameters, the calculations agree well with those found using independent methods and verify that the total energy and other integral properties reach a maximum at strengths less than that of the highest wave. They also verify that the maximum angle of surface inclination can exceed 30 deg. for the not-quite-highest waves. In addition, this report gives solitary wave properties useful in constructing periodic wave solutions by the superimposition of solitary waves. The highest wave in water is higher than previously reported; its amplitude to depth ratio is 0.8332. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA107267
Entities
People
- James M. Witting
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory