Page 24 - 6634
P. 24
frequency (f),which is the reciprocal of the period,
wave elevation (η) which represents the instantaneous elevation of the wave
from the still water level (SWL) or the mean water level (MWL),
horizontal water particle velocity ( x), which is the instantaneous velocity
along x of a water particle,
vertical water particle velocity ( y), which is the instantaneous velocity along
y of a water particle,
horizontal water particle acceleration (ax), which is the instantaneous
acceleration along x of a water particle, and
vertical water particle acceleration (ay), which is the instantaneous acceleration
along y of a water particle.
A wave creates a free surface motion at the mean water level acted upon by
gravity. The elevation of the free surface varies with space x and time t. The
simplest and most applied wave theory is the linear wave theory. It is also called
small amplitude wave theory or Airy theory. For the linear wave theory, the wave
has the form of a sine curve.
Stokes' second-order wave provides two components for the wave kinematics.
the first one at the wave frequency and the second one at twice the wave
frequency. The relevant formulas for the two components are shown in table 3.4.
The second-order component is smaller than the first-order contribution. The wave
profiles from the two components combine to provide a steeper crest and shallower
trough.
Fifth-Order Stokes Wave Theory is applicable for deep-water high waves. As
the name implies, the fifth-order theory comprises five components in a series
form. Each component is generally an order of magnitude smaller than the
previous one in succession.
Current is a common occurrence in the open ocean. The current at the sea
surface is mainly introduced by the wind effect on the water, variation of
24