The design limitations of a circular wave pool

• Published in: Volume 8A: 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 2014
• Subjects: Engineering; Maritime Engineering; Ship and Platform Hydrodynamics; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1115/OMAE2014-23675; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/98342

In this paper, the design of a circular wave pool thatproduces continuously breaking waves is discussed, whereby apressure source is rotated within an annular wave pool. Theconcept was that the pressure source generates non-breakingwaves that propagate inward to the inner ring of the annulus,where a sloping bathymetry (beach) triggers wave breaking. Inorder to refine the technique, research was conducted to betterunderstand the mechanics of waves generated by movingpressure sources in a constrained waterway, the transformationof these waves as they travel across the channel and the effectof the sloping beach on the wave quality for surfing.The quality of the waves was defined in terms of waveheight, speed and shape, with the aim to create plunging waves,known as barrels, that are highly desired by surfers.A predominantly experimental approach was undertaken todetermine the required design parameter values and theirlimitations. Scale model experimental results were previouslypresented at OMAE 2011 and OMAE2013.This paper presents the steps to design the pool using theempirical analysis and experimental results are presented. Theeffect of the pressure source and pool bathymetry on thecurrents formed in the pool, are also presented. Through thisdesign process, high quality continuous breaking waves withthe desired plunging shape were able to be generated.Finally, the authors are planning to use the facilities andtechniques developed to investigate the complexities ofpredefined wave fields, including the three dimensional (3D)details of the velocity, pressure and turbulence fields beneath.Understanding these complexities within multidimensionalwave patterns is the key to analysing a number of differentfields, including wave resistance of ships; wave disturbances toother maritime users; bank erosion; wave signal tracking; andwave structure interaction.