Interaction between Steady Non-Uniform Two-Dimensional Currents and Directional Wind-Generated Gravity Waves with Applications for Current Measurements

Interactions between steady non-uniform two-dimensional currents and directional gravity waves are studied for the case of a random wave field which is actively generated by the wind. Directional wave number spectrum in the form suggested by Phillips, Kitaigorodskii, Pierson-Moskowitz, and Longuet-H...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chen,Davidson T, Bey,Paul
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
COMPUTER PROGRAMS
CURRENTS
ENERGY
Fluid Mechanics
GRAVITY WAVES
INTERACTIONS
Numerical Mathematics
REMOTE DETECTORS
SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTION
TWO DIMENSIONAL FLOW
WAVE EQUATIONS
WAVE PROPAGATION
WIND
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Summary:Interactions between steady non-uniform two-dimensional currents and directional gravity waves are studied for the case of a random wave field which is actively generated by the wind. Directional wave number spectrum in the form suggested by Phillips, Kitaigorodskii, Pierson-Moskowitz, and Longuet-Higgins-Cartwright-Smith is used as the basic spectral form for zero current conditions. Modified spectral functions under the influence of current are found by solving the kinematic wave conservation equation and the energy balance equation with the method of characteristics. By using this particular method, one can solve the problems of two-dimensional wave-current interactions by either specifying U and wave energy, E, or specifying wave number vector, k, and E, for every point space, x. The remote sensing techniques are suggested to be the best and the most convenient feasible way of measuring these parameters for inferring the current field. Thus the changes in wave characteristics, in the form of directional wave spectra, can readily be numerically calculated as the directional wind-generated gravity waves encounter the steady non-uniform two-dimensional currents. Using the remote sensing techniques which are capable of observing these changes in waves over a large area, one will be able to infer the magnitude and the direction of the current encountered. This particular method of inferring current field has great potential benefits in global applications.