Comparison of Numerical and Physical Models of Wave Response in a Harbor
Abstract
Results of a numerical and a physical model study of wave response of the small-boat harbor at Barcelona, New York, are presented and compared. The numerical model used was HARBD, a monochromatic linear wave model. Both monochromatic and irregular waves were considered, and wave superposition was used to investigate harbor response to irregular waves. Wave records from the physical model tests matched the intended wave forcing conditions near the wave generator. Wave records in and around the harbor, however, usually showed the effects of nonlinearity and in some instances exhibited wave grouping and the effects of breaking and overtopping. Hence, even for the monochromatic tests, the water surface oscillations at each gage in the harbor were characterized by a distribution of wave heights. Procedures were developed for displaying information about the irregularity of physical model wave records. These procedures provide a rational means for comparing numerical and physical model results. Using them, engineering judgement can be used to assess the nature of irregular waves in the physical model and to assess, for a given application, the appropriateness of the linear theory assumption of the numerical model. Keywords: Finite element method, Hybrid element method, Water waves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA198545
Entities
People
- Hesheng Chen
- Peter L. Crawford
Organizations
- Coastal Engineering Research Center