A novel method for generating continuously surfable waves - Comparison of predictions with experimental results

• Published in: Volume 6: Ocean Engineering
• Main Authors: Schmied, SA, Binns, JR, Renilson, MR, Thomas, GA, Macfarlane, GJ, Huijsmans, R
• Format: Conference Object
• Language: English
• Published: American Society of Mechanical Engineers 2011
• Subjects: Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Ocean Engineering; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2011-49145; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/75861

In this paper, a novel idea to produce continuous breakingwaves is discussed, whereby a pressure source is rotated withinan annular wave pool. The concept is that the inner ring of theannulus has a sloping bathymetry to induce wave breaking fromthe wake of the pressure source. In order to refine thetechnique, work is being conducted to better understand themechanics of surfable waves generated by moving pressuresources in restricted water. This paper reports on the first stage of an experimentalinvestigation of a novel method for generating continuouslysurfable waves utilising a moving pressure source. The aim wasto measure and assess the waves generated by two parabolicpressure sources and a wavedozer [I] for their suitability forfuture development of continuous breaking surfable waves. Thetests were conducted at the Australian Maritime College(AMC), University of Tasmania (UTas) 100 metre long towingtank. The experimental results as variations in wave height ( H )divided by water depth ( h ) as functions of depth Froude number( Fr h ) and h , together with predictions from both methods, arepresented in this paper. Finally, measures of the wave making energy efficiency of eachpressure source, and the surfable quality of the waves generatedby it, were developed and are presented.