Spectral Wave Decay Due to Bottom Friction on the Inner Shelf
Abstract
Long term goals are to observe and model wave and current boundary layer processes to determine wave dissipation and wave-bed interactions in coastal and nearshore regions using novel instrumentation techniques. The primary scientific objective of this project is to measure the bottom dissipation of surface gravity waves as they shoal across the continental shelf, as a component of the Shoaling Waves Experiment, SHOWEX. Detailed observations of the bottom boundary layer, resolving the thin oscillatory wave boundary layer, are being made at two sites with differing wave forcing, mean currents and sediment bed types, to develop a spectral wave dissipation model for the continental shelf. At each site, continuous maps of the small-scale morphology have been made in an area surrounding the detailed bottom boundary layer measurements to study changes in the bed in response to wave forcing, and to relate the effects of these morphology changes on the turbulence in the BBL. The spectral dissipation model will include the potentially strong influence of a wave-forced mobile bed, and parameterizations for low frequency currents including strong baroclinic tidal and wind-driven currents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA609980
Entities
People
- Edward B. Thornton
- Timothy P. Stanton
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School