Swell attenuation due to wave-induced turbulence

• Published in: Volume 2: Structures, Safety and Reliability
• Main Author: Babanin, Alexander V.
• Other Authors: Swinburne University of Technology
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: unknown
• Published: American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2012
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/241226; https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2012-83706

In the paper, we will discuss two separate, but connected issues: wave-turbulence interactions, and estimates of swell attenuation due to such turbulence. Theoretically, potential waves cannot generate the vortex motion, but the scale considerations indicate that if the steepness of waves is not too small, the Reynolds number can exceed the critical values. This means that in presence of initial non-potential disturbances the orbital velocities can generate the vortex motion and turbulence. This problem was investigated by laboratory means, numerical simulations and field observations. As a sink of wave energy, such dissipation is small in presence of wave breaking, but is essential for swell. Swell prediction by spectral wave models is often poor, but is important for offshore and maritime industry. Based on the research of wave-induced turbulence, new swell-dissipation function is proposed. It agrees well with satellite observations of long-distance swell propagation and is being employed and tested in spectral wave models.