Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Small-Scale Wind-Wave Generation.
Abstract
This research project was initiated to explore the use of novel analysis techniques associated with emerging nonlinear methods to investigate the growth of capillary-gravity waves on an initially calm water surface following the abrupt start of wind forcing. During the course of the research, a novel wavelet-based method was devised and implemented for computing the local, instantaneous dispersion relation. The method is completely quantitative, and conserves energy. While averaged results showed exponential growth rates that agree approximately with linear theory, it is clear that details of the wave crest distribution that are important in determining subsequent nonlinear developments cannot be captured without not only a nonlinear theory, but also a 2D one. The most useful experiment to follow up this work would not be the obvious increase in scale, but would rather concentrate on a smaller scale facility where the 2D wind profile could be very closely controlled, and measured. Only then can the forcing effects be unambiguously separated from 2D nonlinear growth mechanisms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 04, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331970
Entities
People
- Frederick Browand
- Geoff Spedding
- Paul N. Newton
Organizations
- University of Southern California