A Study of the Turbulent Layer in the Water at an Air-Water Interface.
Abstract
Because global weather and ocean circulations are driven by energy transfers across the atmosphere-ocean interface, studies of it remain at the forefront of research in atmospheric sciences and oceanography. This experimental program was undertaken with the goal of learning how the energy, which is transferred from the wind, is distributed among the mean, wave, and turbulent flow fields in the water. Model test results show that the waves affect the mean flow, but the mean velocity profiles show logarithmic behavior. The wave field generally agrees with the prediction of a linear water-wave theory. In the wind-wave experiments, the turbulent quantities behave similar to those in flows over flat plates. In the mechanical-wave experiments, the turbulent quantities have different trends from those of the wind-wave cases, which suggests possible weak wave-related turbulence. The mean wave-induced shear stress is negative, which implies that the waves augment the mean flow. Thus, the waves can also transfer energy indirectly to turbulence via the mean flow. The turbulent field draws it energy from the mean flow through the mean turbulent shear stress and from the wave field via the wave-induced turbulent stresses. Keywords include: Ocean surface; and Laser doppler anemometer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA154117
Entities
People
- T. K. Cheung
Organizations
- Stanford University