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An experimental study of attenuation of short water waves by turbulence

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2006

Hasan S. Ölmez  and
Jerome H. Milgram
Hasan S. Ölmez
Affiliation:
Department of Ocean Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
Jerome H. Milgram
Affiliation:
Department of Ocean Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Abstract

Measurements of the dissipation of short water waves in a wave tank are analysed and described. Monochromatic waves with lengths between 6 and 10 cm generated by an axisymmetric wavemaker propagated through a turbulent flow field generated by a submerged vertically oscillating grid below the wavemaker. The horizontal turbulence velocity was measured with a hot-film anemometer with the grid oscillating, but the wavemaker off. With the wavemaker operating, wave amplitude vs. distance from the wavemaker was measured with and without operation of the turbulence generator. Wave dissipation due to turbulence was measured and quantified. Much of the wave energy transfer to turbulence may not occur in the normal energy-containing depth of the waves. Rather, most of it may first be convected downward and out of the wave zone by the vertical turbulent velocities. The experimental data are consistent with this possibility.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 239 , June 1992 , pp. 133 - 156
Copyright
© 1992 Cambridge University Press

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