Second-Order Random Ocean Waves: Prediction of Temporal and Spatial Variation from Fixed and Moving References

Abstract

WAVEMAKER is a FORTRAN program used to simulate random nonGaussian ocean wave histories, to identify the underlying first- and second- order components of user specified waves, or to predict wave time histories at other user specified fixed or moving spatial locations based on the originally simulated or identified wave history. Ocean wave histories are simulated by generating a first-order (Gaussian) wave process with an arbitrary power spectrum, and applying nonlinear corrections based on second-order hydrodynamics. Inputs to the routine include the first-order spectrum, the water depth, and a set of fixed or moving locations in the along-wave direction at which wave elevation histories are desired. It may thus provide useful input to estimate loads on spatially distributed ocean structures and ships. The WAVEMAKER package includes a separate driver program, which facilitates input/output and generates several analytical spectral models. Its input is specified in command-line format, similar to that of the TF-POP program for hydrodynamic post-processing also developed in the Stanford RMS Program. Example problems are included to demonstrate the various uses of WAVEMAKER. In simulation, WAVEMAKER first uses standard frequency domain methods to generate first-order Gaussian histories at each location. For each of these, WAVEMAKER then evaluates the full set of second-order corrections according to hydrodynamic theory. Thus the first-order wave process, with N components at frequencies Wn, gives rise to a total of N2 corrections, spread over all sum frequencies Wn + Wm, and to another N2 corrections over all difference frequencies Wn - Wm. WAVEMAKER also includes the ability to identify the underlying first-order Gaussian history from a given observed time history. This feature is particularly attractive for use in situations where the second-order nonlinearity in the waves is built into the structural response calculations.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1999
Accession Number
ADA396318

Entities

People

  • Bert Sweetman
  • Steven R. Winterstein

Organizations

  • Stanford University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Civil Engineering
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Difference Frequency
  • Diffraction
  • Dispersion Relations
  • Engineering
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Frequency
  • Frequency Domain
  • Model Tests
  • Ocean Waves
  • Operating Systems
  • Real Numbers
  • Reliability
  • Simulations

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Computer Science.
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.