DAVIDSON LABORATORY

Report SIT-DL-71-1469

January 1971

INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES

AND
FINITE TURBULENT FLOW FIELDS

by
Daniel Savitsky

Prepared for the

Office of Naval Research
Department of the Navy
Contract NR-062-254, Nonr263(36)
( {). L. Project 2321 /087)

This document has been approved for public re lea se and sale; Its distribution
Is unlimited. Application for copies may be made to the Defense Documentation
Center, Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. Re-
production of the docume nt in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of
the United States Government.

iv + 48 pages
1 table
30 figures
 R-1469

ABSTRACT

A laboratory study of the interaction of deep water gravity

waves progressing into a turbulent flow field produced by a finite

width grid towed in a wide tank showed wave height attenuations of

nearly 90% in the grid wake and wave he i ght amplificat ions of nearly

75% in the still water outside the wake. The transverse gradient of

longitudinal flow in the wake was predominantly responsibJe for the

large wave deformations and precluded an evaluation of direct turbu-

le nce effects.
A s imple, analytical solution using wave refraction, diffraction

and superposition concepts is developed which qualitatively reproduces

the measured reiults.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES 5
One-Dimensional Grid Studies 6
Gri d 'Character i stics 6

Wave Height Probes ....•..•...•.... . ................ . . . .... .... 8

Test Procedure 9
Two-Dimensional Gr i d Studies .. .... .. . ... .. ..... ... ................. TO
Grid Characteristics ••••• ••••• •• ••••• •• •••• ••••... • 10

Wave Height Probes •••••.......•. •.•.•. ••........ .. 12

Test Procedure ..••.. .. .•••••.•.•.••....••••...••.•...•...•. . .. 12

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS ................... . . .. .. . ... 12

One-Dimens ional Gr i d Studies 13

General Behav ior ... ............ ....................... ...... . . 13
'

Specific Behavior 15
Crest Line Deformation ........... . ... G • ••••••••••• • ••• ••••• ••• • 16

Apparen~ Wave Length I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a a I I a I I 17

Effect of Grid Velocity .... ....... ... ..... ....... ..... 17
Effect of Grid t1esh Size .. ..... ....... ................ . .... . 18

Two-Dimensional Grid Studies . .... .. ... .... ..................... . 18

'

General Behavior .... .. .................... ... ...... ........ 19

Specific Results .................. ... .. .. . .................... 22

j j
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (Cont 1 d.)

Page

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION .... . . ... . ••...• . .....•......•. . ...••.....• 23

Viscous and Turbulent Effects ..•......... . .... . ............•...... 23

Wave Inte raction with Finite Veloc ity Field .•...••..• . ....•....... 25

Two-Dimension a 1 Res u 1ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . • . . 25

Crest Length Bet\'leen G:_ and ... .........................

1 Ft. 33
Crest Length Between 1 Ft. and 3.5 Ft. ......... .............. 34
Crest Length Between 3.5 Ft. and 5 Ft .. ........ .............. 35
Crest Length Beyond 5 Ft . ........ . ..••...• . ••••... . ....•..... 35

Application of Analytical Results •. . ... . ...•......•••..•. •.. ••.. . . 35

Refraction Effects . ....... . .... . ....................... . ..... 36

Diffraction Effects .... . .. . .... • ..........•.•.••. . ....•...•. . 38

Superposition of Elemental ·Results .•..•....... .•••...... ••... 40

One-Dimensional Results ...•..••...•.........••••....•......•. 42

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES ...............• •. .•. . .•....••• 42

CONCLUSIONS . •••.•••.•.••••.•_••.••.•........••.•••.•••.• • •. • .•••.•• 46

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS •••. • •..•.•••••••.••.•... • •..•• • ••• . • • •••... • ••..• 47

REFERENCES .• •..•• ..•••••.. . ••••.••••...•..•... • •••.••.••••••••..•• 48
TABLE I ••.•.....•..•• • •..........•......... o • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 49

FIGURES 1 - 30 .. . •....•....•. . ...• . ..•....•....•.•....•....•.•.. 50 - 79

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Ll S T OF FIGURES

Fig. Test set-up one-dimensional grid... . .. ... .......... 50

Fig. 2 Longitudinal velocity distribution in grid-wake.... 51
. Fig. 3 Test set-up two-dimensional grid ...... .... . ........ 52
Fig. 4 Longitudinal velocity distribution in grid-wake... . 53

Fig. 5 Typical wave probe time histories--one-dimensional

grid.. ... . ... ... . ... .. . ..... ... ... ............... 54
Figs. 6-13 Envelope of wave height at wave probes moving with
one-dimensional grid . .... . .........•.•.•...••..• 55-62

Figs. 14-17 Envelope of wave heights at stationary wave probes

for two-dimensional grid .........•.....•..•..••• 63-66

Fig. 18 Typical wave deformation for two~dimensional grid .. 67

Figs. 19-21 Height of wave crest line in transverse sections
normal to grid![_ •.•.•.•.........•...•.•.••••.•• 68-70

Fig. 22 Wave-wake sys tern . . • .. • .... . .... . ...•... • ...••.... • • 71

Pigs. 23-24 Computed wave refraction diagram .. .• ...•...••...••. 72-73

Figs. 25-26 Results of refraction computation versus measured

crest height ........ .. .......................... 74-75

Fig. 27 Diffraction of waves at breakwater gap contours of

equal diffraction coefficient (Johnson, 1952) ... 76
Fig. 28 Diffraction of waves passing semi-infinite break-
water (Penny and Price , 1952) .... , ............. . 77
Figs . 29-30 Computed versus measured crest height ... . •. . . ••.••• 78~79

iv
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INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES

AND
FINITE TURBULENT FLOW FIELDS
by
Daniel Savitsky

INTRODUCTION

As gravity waves progress from their source of origin, they en-

counter a variety of ocean environments which may interfere with their

ordered motion and, consequently, alter the amplitude and direction of

the wave system. Although an extensive literature exists on the mechan-

ism of wave generation and their subsequent propagation through still

water or a uniform flow, only recently has some attention been given

to waves moving through a non-uniform flow--and these have been restricted

to relatively weak velocity gradients normal to the wave direction.

In a realistic ocean environment, gravity waves may encounter

regions of turbulent flow, particularly in the upper layers. These

oceanic turbulent flow fields can be developed by various geophysical

mechanisms. For example, the action of unsteady wind shear stresses

exerted against the surface of the sea; the breaking of wave crests re-

sulting in "splash turbulence" penetrating i nto the upper layers of the

water; turbulent fields set up in intense currents; turbulence developed

by . high velocity, high Reynolds number flows in a tidal channel; ship

wakes; etc. In each case, it is expected that wave attenuation will re-

sult from the i nteraction between the turbulent flow fields and wave

motion . Such attenuation is of importance in developing relatively

1.
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11
quiet 11 local areas in the sea for launching or recovery of small craft

or submarines, or in tracing the progress of, say, one storm passing

through the intensive turbulence of another storm.

Phillips (l959) presents a theoretical study of the properties

of waves on the free surface of a liquid in turbulent motion where the

intensity of the turbulence is sufficiently small to preclude wave gener-

ation in itself and where the mean velocity of the flow is zero. There

are two types of possible interaction , each of which results in the at-

tenuation of the incident wave . One is an "eddy viscosity interaction"

in which wave energy is transferred from the wave motion through a stretch-

ing of the vortex filaments in the turbulence wh i ch tends to increase ~ 2 ,

the mean square vorticity associated with the turbulence itself. This

straining process is of second order in wave height-length ratio and,

hence, should be important for steep waves and when the turbulence scale

is much less than that of the waves. The second type of interaction is

a scattering phenomenon where random velocity fluctuations in the turbu-

lence field will result in the convective distort ion of the wave front,

and produce a broad spectrum of scattered waves . This scattering effect

is of first order in wave height-length ratio and, hence, predomin~tes

for waves of small slope. Phil! ips shows tha t , under typical conditions

in the open sea, the attenuation from scattering will be greater than

that from direct viscous dissipation for wave lengths greater than about

10 ft .

An experimental study was undertaken at the Davidson Laboratory,

Stevens Institute of Technology, to investigate the interaction between

2
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mechanically generated progressive gravity waves and a controlled turbu-

lence field developed by towing su~table grids in a towing tank. Since

field measurements by Stewart and Grant (1962) supported the applicability

of the Kolmogoroff hypothesis (that the statistical structure of turbulence

has a universal form) to turbulence near the sea surface In the presence

of waves, it was believed that grid-generated turbulence (known to satisfy

the Kolmogoroff hypothes.ls) would indeed be representative of ocean tur-

bulence on a model scale. Two experimental studies were undertaken. The

first used a grid which spanned the width of a 12 ft. wide towing tank

and was towed in the direction of wave celerity at speeds less than the

group velocity of the _ ~gular wave lengths generated by a plunger type

wavemaker. In these studies, the test waves overtook and passed through

the turbulence wake and grid. This so-called one-dimensional_ grid study

was made In an attempt to develop a turbulent wake with uniform mean

flow across any transverse section aft of the grid. Unfortunately, as

will be subsequently discussed, a uniform flow field was not developed

near the outer edges of the grid wake and this seriously influenced the

test results. The other series of experimental studies involved towing

a 3-ft. wide grid in a 75~ft. wide towing tank. The intent of these

tests was to allow any scattered wake system to be defracted outside

the turbulence patch. However, the finite width grid also produced a

pronounced longitudinal mean flow ve!ocity gradient in transverse sections

through the wake. Thus, in these later tests, the generated waves were

simultaneously subjected to three modification effects : (1) dis sipation

due to eddy viscosity; (2) scattering due to turbulent convective distortion

3
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of the wave front and (3) deformation of the wave due to mean flow

velocity_ gr·a d i ents .

Measurements were made of the wave deformation in the wakes of

both the one- and two-dimensional grids. An analysis of these results

indicated that the velocity gradients in the wakes had a dominating ef-

fect on the wave deformation and thus, unfortunately, precluded a reliable

evaluation of the possible dissipative or scattering action of the turbu-

lence field upon the incident wave . The studies are, nevertheless, of

importance since they provide unique results, obtained under controlled

laboratory conditions, describing the pronounced distortion of a deep

water wave when encountering sharp current gradients, either naturally

existing or artificially produced . It is shown that the wave distortion

can be such as to provide locally areas of reduced wave motion which can

be beneficial in launching or retrieving small craft or submersibles from

a mother ship at sea.

The experimental results are described in some detail and an ele-

mentary analytical model is developed which , using the combined mechanics

of wave refraction, diffraction and superposit ion, at least qualitatiavely

reproduces the features of the test results and, perhaps more important,

describes a possible physical mechanism responsible for the observed

large wave deformations .

These studies were supported by the Fluid Dynamics Branch of the

Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, under Contract NR-062-254,

Nonr263(36) . They formed the basis for a dissertation submitted to the

Graduate Division of the School of Engineering and Science in part ial

fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D . at New York

University. 4
 R-1469

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Turbulence-generating grids have been used with great success

In advancing the knowledge of turbulence in air flows, but have been

used only occasionally in hydrodynamics--particularly in towing tanks

where a grid must be towed in quiet water to generate a turbulence field.

Taylor (1935) has shown that disturbances generated in the wake of a grid
transform rapidly into a quasi-isotropic turbulent turbulent field whether

the grid is towed in quiet air or an airstream passes through the grid.

In the present task, vertical turbulence grids of finite draft

and two mesh sizes were towed at various constant speeds in Tank No. 2
and 3 of the Davidson Labbratory in a direction normal to the plane of
the grid. Regular waves, generated by a plunger type wavemaker in quiet

water, traveled in the same direction as the grid tow (with initial crest

lines parallel to the grid) progressed through the turbulent wake and

. grid into quiet water beyond the. grid. Waves of various constant length
and he.lght were generated such that the group velocity of each regular

wave was greater than the grid velocity. The wave lengths and water depth

were such that deep water gravity waves we re generated . Wave amplitudes

were measured by resistance type wave wires which penetrated the fluid

surface. Several of the wave wires were t owed ahead and behind the grid

(at the grid speed) while others were stationary and located both in and

outisde of the grid wake. · The outputs of these wave probes were simul-
11
taneously recorded on a Viscorder 11 oscillograph tape.

The details of test procedure, grid characteristics, and test con-

ditions for the one-dimensional and two-dimensional turbulence grid studies

5
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are described separately below . Common to both studies was the observa-

tion that, for the grid sizes and grid velocities considered, the com-

bination of physical grid and turbulent wake in smooth water did not

produce a measurable wave system of its own . In fa ct, soon after pass-

_a ge of the grid and wake relative to a fixed point in the test tank, the

water surface appeared unusually still. Further, the grid solidity was

small enough that, when stationary, it did not noticeably affect the

wave forms which passed through the stationary grid. Neither was there

a measurable wave reflection from the grid .

One-Dimensional Grid Studies

The one-dimensional grid studies were conducted in Tank No. 3 of

the Davidson Laboratory. This tank is 300 ft. long, 12 ft. wide and has

a water depth of 6 ft. A plunger type wavemaker is located at one end of

the tank and a slotted beach of 15° slope i s located at the opposite end

to absorb the wave energy with minimum reflection.

Grid Characteristics:

A turbulence grid 11.5 ft. wide spanned the tank width, penetrated

.the water surface to a depth of 1.6 ft., was attached to a standard carr iage

and towed in a direction away from the wavemaker. Figure 1 shows the test

setup. Two mesh sizes were tested; one ha d a mesh M = 0 .36 ft. and was

made of crossed square wooden slats 0.80 inches wide; the other had a mesh

M = 0.71 ft. and was made of crossed square wooden s lats 1.60 inches wide.

Thus , in both cases, the grid solidity was constant and equal to S =-0.40 .

The grid was towed at speeds of V = 1.0 and V = 1.7 ft/sec. The hydro-

dynamic drag and Reynolds No. of the grid (Re = VM/w) for these conditions
9
are:
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Mesh Grid Velocity Drag Reynolds No.

0.36 ft. 1 ft/sec. 13.2 lbs. 28,000

0.26 1.7 37.9 49,000

0.71 13.2 56,800

0.71 1.7 37.9 96,500

Measurements were initially made of the mean value of the longi-

tudinal velocity (in the grid direction) of the grid wake at the center-

1i ne of the grid and at a depth of 0.80 feet below the water surface.

At a distance of 10.0 ft. aft of the gr i d, the wake velocity was o.4ov
and decreased slowly with distance aft of the grid--at a distance 20.0 ft.

aft of the grid, the mean velocity of the wake was 0.36V. In these in-

itial tests, a straight line of confetti was sprinkled across the 12ft.

width of the tank parallel to the plane of the grid. Visual observations

of this reference line after grid passage showed that the confetti moved

essentially in one straight line parallel to the grid, thus indicating a

Jack of noticeable velocity gradients--at least on the free surface. An

analysis of the wave distortion data in this wake yielded anomalous re-

su1ts (these will be discussed in a subsequent section) that could not

be explained by the assumption of a uniform longitudinal mean flow through

transverse sections in the grid wake. Hence, a detailed survey was then

made of the mean flow at distances of 10ft. and 20 ft. aft of the grid.

These results are shown in Figure 2 which presents a plot of longitudinal

mean flow (V)

w
versus transverse distance from the grid centerline at a

probe depth of 10 inches below the water surface . The wake velocities

(V) are normalized on the basis of grid speed (V). It is clearly seen
w

7
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that the mean flow i n the wake is essentially constant for a distance

of approx imately 5 f t . from the grid centerline but then rapidly de-

creases between th i s point and the tank wall . The significance of th i s

local velocity gradient will be subsequently discussed.

The wind tunnel results of Dryden (1937), who examined the turbu-

lence aft of a rectangula r grid having a mesh s i ze M = 0.41 ft . at a

nearly similar Reynolds number, show that the turbulent velocity fluctua-

tions u' as a function of distance, X, aft of the grid are :

V = 10 + X
u' M
Thus, for a distance TO ft. aft of the 0.36 1 mesh grid x/M = 27.7 and

u' = V/37.7 or approximately 3% of the mean flow . At a distance of 20

mesh lengths aft of the grid, wind tunnel experiments have shown the

establ i shment of quasi-isotropic turbulence .

Wave Height Probes :

Wave heights were measured by resistance t ype wave wires penetrat-

i ng th rough the water surface . The position of the wave wires relative

to the gr id are shown i n Figure 1. It is see n that wave wi res moving

with the grid were located 12 ft . ahead of and along the grid centerl i ne;

13.25 ft . and 16.50 ft. aft of and along the grid centerline ; and one

located 13 . 25 ft. aft and 4ft. transverse to the grid centerline. The

wave wires 13.25 ft . and 16.50 ft . aft of the gr i d were used to obtain a

measure of the apparent wave length i n the turbulence f ield while the

pair of wires 4 ft. apart in the transverse p l ane 13 . 25 ft . aft of the

grid were used to measure any deformation of the wave crest line as it

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progressed through the turbulence. A stationary wave wire was located

60ft. forward of the wavemaker and was used to examine the regularity

of the amplitude and period of the generated incident wave.

A range of wave heights and lengths used in these tests were

as fo 11ows :

Wave Lensth Wave Period Wave Celerity Grou~ Velocity Wave Height

)., ft. T, sec. Vc, ft/sec. Vg, ft/sec. H , ft.

w
2.0 . 625 3.20 1.60 0.05

2.0 .625 3.20 1.60 0. 10

3.0 . 763 3.93 1. 87 0. 10

4.0 . 885 4.52 2.26 0 . 05

. 4.0 . 885 4. 52 2.26 o. 10
6.0 1.080 5.55 2.78 0. 05

6.0 1.080 5.55 2.78 0.10

8.0 1. 250 6.40 3.20 0.04

8.0 1. 250 6.40 3.20 0.09

Test Procedure :

Several experimental procedures were used in these studies. In

one group of tests , the grid was held stationary 70 ft . forward of the

wavemaker until several waves had passed through the grid. The grid was

then towed and wave measurements were made with the moving wave wires.

For certain runs , after approximately 50-60 ft. of grid tow, the aft mov-

ing wave wire (16.50 ft. aft) was released from the tow and remained

stationary in the tank. Thus , wave height measurements were taken both

at a fixed position relative to the moving grid and at a fixed position

.9
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in the tank (variable position relative to the grid). The other test

procedure was to first tow the grid for a distance of approximately 50 ft.

which developed a turbulent wake and then start the waves which ran

through the wake and overtook ~he moving grid. This technique avoided

the possibility of a secondary wave formation as the incident wave ran

through the mavins grid . It was established that the results obtained

with both test procedures were essentially similar.

Two-Dimensional Grid Studies

The two-dimensional grid studies were conducted in Tank No. 2 of

the Davidson Laboratory. This tank is 75 ft. square and has a water depth

of 4.5 ft. A plunger mechanical type wavemaker spans one side of the tank

and a sloping beach is installed on the opposite end to absorb the gener-

ated wave energy.

Grid Characteristics :

Two turbulence grids, one 3 ft. wide and another 5.5 ft. wide, were

separately towed in a direction away from the wavemaker. The grid center-

line was 17ft. from one edge of the tank. Figure 3 shows the test setup.

As in the one-dimensional tests_, two mesh sizes--M = 0.36 ft. and M = 0.71

ft.--were tested. The grids were constructed of crossed square wooden

slats 0.80 inches wide. The solidity, towing speeds and Reynolds number

of the grids were the same as for the one-dimensional tests previously

described. The hydrodynamic drag of the 0.36 ft . mesh grid was 3.2 lbs.

and 9 . 25 lbs. at tow speeds of 1.0 and 1. 7 ft/sec. respectively at a grid

draft of 1.67 ft. At a grid draft of 0 . 84 ft., the hydrodynamic drags

for this grid were 1. 5 lbs. and 4.33 lbs . at 1.0 and 1.7 ft/sec. It is

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to be noticed that the grid drag increased as the square of the speed

for a 11 cases .

Measurements were made of the mean values of the longitudinal

velocities at depths of 0.80 and 0.40 ft. in the grid wake across several

transverse sections aft of the 3 ft. wide, 0.36 ft. mesh grid with a 1.67

and • 80 ft. draft. A plot of the ratio of wake velocity to grid velocity

is given in Figure 4. These velocity ratios were the same. for both grid

drafts and towing speeds.

It is seen that there is a slow attenuation of velocity with dis-

tance aft of grid. Further, there i s also a slow lateral spreading of

the wake area . It is interesting to note that the wake velocities are

all in the d i rection of grid tow. Surveys of the velocity field up to

5 ft. from the grid centerline did not indicate a reverse flow. Visual

observations did indicate a reverse flow along the bottom of the test

tank.

An empirical formulation was established to represent the wake

velocity V as a . function of distance, x, aft of the grid and a distance,

w
y, measured from the grid centerline normal to the x-directlon. The wake

equation is given by:

v y
- <~'-=--'-'----77"':-)8
vw = [0.45- .00745x] [e 1.67 + .062x ]

where x and y are in units of feet.

The above formulation was developed for use in the analysis of wave

deformation for regular waves running into a velocity gradient. This an-

alysis is presented in a subsequent section of this report .

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Wave Height Probes:

The location of the wave amplitude measuring probes are shown in

Figure 3. It is seen that four probes were to'.<Jed with the grid and 7 inches

off its centerline: one 3ft. forward and three others I ft., 3ft . and .

6 ft. aft of the grid. In addition, seven stationary probes were located

in a transverse line normal to the direction of grid tow and at distance

38ft. and then 20ft. ahead of the wavemaker. It \lill be noted that one

of the stationary wave wires was directly on the grid centerline. This

installation was accomplished by mounting the probe on the floor of the

tank and providing a slot through the grid which passed over the wave probe.

Thus, the transverse probes covered an area from the grid centerline to a

distance of nearly 9 ft. outboard of the edge of the grid.

Test Procedure:

The range of wave heights and lengths were esentially similar to

those used in the one-dimensional tests. Also, the test procedures pre-

viously described were followed. The initial grid location was always

10 ft. ahead of the wavemaker. After approximate ly 60 ft. of tow, the

grid was stopped and the wavemaker continued in operation until the wave

amplitudes recorded in the line of transverse wave probes were again equal

to the incident wave amplitude.

RESULTS OF EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATIO~S

Selected test results are first described to illustrate the general

behavior of waves in a turbulent flow field. An elementary analysis of

the results is developed in the subsequent sect ion. ·

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One-Dimensional Grid Studies

As previously discussed, the original intention of the one-dimensional

grid study was to provide a turbulent wake with constant longitudinal mean

flow in any transverse section through the wake. Regular waves would be

passed through the wake and measurements made of the dissipative effects

of grid-controlled turbulence on wave amplitude attenuation. It was expected

that the deep water gravity waves would pass through the turbulence field

with the crest lines always remaining parallel to the grid and that the

wave amplitude would be essentially constant along a given crest line and

decrease as the wave progressed further into the turbulent area. Under

these circumstances, the amplitude attenuation would be due both to viscous ·

dissipation and to "wave stretching" as it moved into a longitudinal cur-

rent ·fro~ an originally quiet area.

This idealized situation did not develop but, rather, it was found

that the wave crest lines were severely deformed; the wave amplitude was

not constant across a given crest line; and, further, there were pronounced

oscillations in the wave amplitude time history at each wave probe (whether

moving or stationary) in the wake. In all cases, the control wave probe,

which was fixed in quiet water aft of the turbulent wake, indicated a wave

of constant amplitude and period continuous ly passing into the wake . area.

General Behavior:

An example of typical wave amplitude oscillations recorded by _both

the moving a nd stationary wave wires along the grid centerline is given

in Figure 5. Th e test conditions represented are for a wave length of

4 . 0 ft. and a wave he ight of 1.2 inches. The grid velocity was 1.7 ft/sec.

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The phase speed of the wave is 5.4 ft/sec. while the average wake velocity

is approximately 0.60 ft/sec. Trace No. is for the moving wave probe

lqcated 13.25 ft. aft of the grid; trace No. 2 is for a moving wave wire

located 66.5 ft. aft of the grid; trace No. 3 represents the moving wave

wire 12 ft. ahead of the grid, and trace No. 4 is for the stationary con-

trol wave wire located approximately 20 ft. aft of the start of the turbu-

lent wake. The times of start-up and stop of the grid motion and the time

of entry of the moving wave wires into the wake are also indicated on this

figure. Perhaps the most notable feature on this typical test record is

the pronounced oscillation of the measured wave amplitude at all but the

stationary wave wire. It is seen that, for the specified test conditions,

the measured wave amplitudes varied from nearly zero to values somewhat

larger than the incident wave. further, the time between successive minimum

values is approximately 9-10 seconds for the waves in the wake but consid-

erably longer, although not as clearly defined, for the wave probe ahead

of the grid. For longer wave lengths, the wave amplitude variations were

reduced and the apparent period between minimum values increas ed. A

reduction in grid speed reduced the wave amplitude variation and increased

the apparent period between minimum values. There was no discernible effect

of grid mesh size on these general observat ions.

It is to be noted from Figure 5 that fluctuations in wave amplitude

continued for a long time after the turbulence grid was stopped. This is,

of course, due to the fact that the wake has a mean flow defined in Figure

2 and, consequently, moves past the stationary grid. It is also interesting

to note that wave deformation at wave wires 1 ·and 2 is first -evident after

14
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approximately 3 seconds or, equivalently, after a wave crest has traveled

nearly 5 ft . into the wake.

Specific Behavior:

The envelopes of wave height (h) variation with time, normalized on

the basis of incident wave height (h.), are plotted in Figures 6 through
I

11 for a g~id speed of approximately 1 ft/sec; a grid draft of 20 inches;

and a mesh size of 2.7 inches. Data are presented for the 3, 4 and 8ft.

wave lengths, each having a height of approximately 1 inch. The data for

for the 2ft. wave length are not presented since the wave heights were

most irregular even in the non-turbule.nt flow area . The data for the 6ft.

: long wave were not unlik~ those for th~ 4 and 8ft. test waves and, hence,

are not included in thi·s paper. Two companion plots are presented for

each wave length. For example, the data for the 3 ft . long wave are given

in Figures 6 and 7. The envelopes of the ratio h/h. for the three moving
I

wave wires are plotted in Figure 6 along with the phase angle between wave

crests at the centerline and at a point 4ft . outboard of the centerline

at a longitudinal distance of 13.25 ft. aft of the grid. A zero phase

angle represents a crest line pa.rallel to the grid. The complementary

data plot for the 3ft. wave is given in Figure 7 where, in addition to

·the e~velopes of h/h . , the apparent wave len gth is plotted at a longitudinal
I

centerline position approximately 15ft. aft of the grid. This wave length

is computed from the data obtained at the two centerline wave wires located

at a distance of 13.25 ft. and 16.5 ft. aft of the grid. Similar sets of

plots are given in Figures 8 and 9 for the 4 ft . long wave and in Figures

10 and 11 for the 8ft . long wave.

15
 R-1469

The irregular , oscillatory behavior of the· wave height envelope

is apparent in all plots and decreases as the wave length increases.

Further, the average wave heights at 13.25 and 16.5 ft . aft of the grid

continuously decreases with i ncreasing time of grid travel (which corre-

sponds to an increasing length of turbulent wake through which the wave

travels) .

Repeat runs for otherwise identical test conditions did not produce

identical time histories of wave height envelope. This can be seen by

compari_ng the time histories for a po i nt 13. 25 ft. aft of the grid as

shown in Figures 6 and 7; 8 and 9; and 10 and 11 . The time histories are

much more nearly alike for the 8ft . long wave than for the 3ft. long

wave.

Crest Line Deformation :

An examination of the phase relation (6) between the wave crest

at a point 13.5 ft. aft of and on the grid centerline and the wave crest

at a point 4ft. transverse to this point indicates the first clear regu-

larity to these one-dimensional test result s. For the case of the 4ft .

long wave (Figure 6) , i t Is seen that phase angle is ze ro, implying a crest

l i ne parctllel to the grid for the first 20 seconds (20ft. of wake develop-

ment) of grid trave l . As t ime increases, the phase angle increases so

that crest at the centerline precedes the wave crest 4ft . off the center-

line . The phase angle increases nearly linea rly with increasing time.

For t he 4ft. long wave (Figure 8) , a similar linear phase shift occurs

except that the rate of phase shift i s now s omewha t slower. The phase

shift for the 8 ft . long test wa~e (Figure 10) has a max imum value of only

16
 R-1469

45°. For this long wave , the centerline crest lags the outboard crest.

A comparison of the wave amplitudes shows nearly similar values at both

w~ve probes when the phase is 0° or 360° and maximum differences when the
. 0
phase angle is 180 •

Apparent Wave Length:

The apparent wave length along thi wake centerline was determined

from an analysis of the time histories of the wave amplitudes at the two

wave probes which were 3.25 ft. apart (p robes at ~istances of 13 . 25 ft.

and 16.50 ft. aft of the grid) . The apparent wave length generally in-

creases with increasing time of grid travel . The 3ft. long wave (Figure

7) attains a value of approximately 4 ft. after 50 seconds of grid travel

and then decreases to a value of 3.5 ft. The 4 ft. test wave (Figure 9)

attains a value of nearly 6.5 ft. after 100 seconds of grid travel whil~

the 8ft. wave (Figure 11) attains a value of approximately 11 ft. after

90 seconds of travel. The wave lengthening is expected because of the

l~ngitudinal mean wake flow in the direction of wave celerity .

Effect of Grid Velocity :

Figures 12 and 13 pres~nt the wave height envelopes for the 3 ft.

and 4ft. long waves when the grid speed is increased to 1.7 ft/sec. These

results are to be compared with those on Fi gures 6 and 8 for a grid speed

of 1.0 ft/sec. The major differences are that there are wider varlations

in wave amplitude at the higher grid speed and, furth e r , the periodicity

of the phase relation is reduced from 60 seconds to 40 seconds for the

3 ft . wave and from 85 seconds to 50 seconds for the 4 ft. wave. Unfor-

tunately , suffici e nt data were not collected to de termine the effect of

17
 R-1469

grid velocity on apparent wave length. Similar data exist for the longer

test wave lengths but, for the sake of brevity, these are not included

in the present thesis.

Effect of Grid Mesh Size :

Increasing the grid mesh size from 2.7 11 to 5.411 did not have a dis-

cernible effect upon the test results.

Two-Dimensional Grid Studies

The objective of these two-dimensional studies was to investigate

the interaction between a turbulent flow field of finite dimensions and

long-crested, deep water, gravity waves. As previously discussed, the grid

· wake characteristics were · such that the waves were simultaneously subjected

to dissipation effects due to eddy viscosity; scattering due to turbulent

convective distortion of the wave front; and deformation of the wave due

to mean flow velocity. gradients . As in the one-dimensional investigations,

it appears that the effect of the velocity gradients dominated in develop-

ing major wave distortions. Although the experimental program examined

wide variations in wave length, wave height, grid mesh, grid width, grid

draft, and grid speed, the presentation will be limited to a discussion

of results for the following brief range of conditions:

>. = 2.0; 6.0 ft.

H = 1 • 0 inches
w
Grid Mesh= 2.7 inches

Grid Draft 0. 83; 1 . 67 ft.

Grid Width = 3.0 ft .

Grid Velocity= 1.0, 1.6, 2.6 ft/sec .

18
 R-1469

These limited combinations of parameters serve to illustrate the major

effects of wake-wave interaction.

General Behavior:

The behavior of the time history of the wave amplitudes at probe

positions, either moving with the grid or stationary in the wake, were

substantially different from the one-dimensional results previously dis-

cussed. The extensive irregularity in the wave amplitude were not observed--

particularly for those wave probes which traveled with the grid. There did

appear to be some indication of an irregularity for those stationary wave

probes located approximately two grid widths from centerline--these were

not, however, well defined. An examination of the crest line deformation

as a given wave passed over the transverse line of stationary probes in-

dicated a slight concavity to the wave front with the crest along the grid

centerline being in the lead by, at most, nearly 30 degrees for the 2ft.

long wave at a grid speed of 1 ft/sec. It will be recalled that, in the

one-dimensional tests, the phase between two tran s verse probes 4 ft. apart

continuously increased with time. In ge neral, the wave height time histories

were characteri zed by either a slow attenuation or amplification as the

wave passed through the wake .

Figures 14 and 15 present the envelope of wave height time histories

(normalized on the basis of incident wave height) along the transverse line

of stationary wave probes fixed in the tank for 2 ft. and 6 ft. long waves

respectively. The wave height wa s 1.0 inches and the grid dimensions were:

width= 3.0 ft.; draft= 1.7 ft.; mesh= 2.7 in.; speed= 1 ft/sec. For

the probe on the ce nterline (No. 7), it i s seen that the re is a continuous

19
 R-1469

decrease in amplitude starting from a time when the probe was 13 feet

upstream of the grid. For the 2 ft. wave (Fig. 14) the height is atten-

uated to approximately 10% of the incident wave height when the probe is

7 ft. downstream of the grid and retains this reduced height for the en-
tire time of data collection (80 seconds) . It will be noted from Fig. 3

that, when the grid reaches the transverse wave probes, it has already

developed a wake 28ft. long moving at a mean longitudinal velocity of

approximately 35 percent of the grid speed .

The probe 2. 4 ft. from the centerline (No. 1) also shows a continuous

reduction in wave height with increasing time, finally attaining a value

approximately 35% of the incident wave. Probe No.2, located 4.2 ft . from

the centerline, indicates only small variation in wave height with time.

The remaining outboard probes (No. 3,4,5) all show increases in wave height

for the entire test run. These probes also indicate the existence of mild
11
beats 11 in the envelope of time historie s although not as severe as for

the one-dimensional case previously discu~s ed . The maximum wave height

occurs between probes 3 and 4 attaining a va lue approximately 75% larger

than the incident wave. It is to be noted that, for all stationary wave

probes, the height modifications are i nitiall y noted when the probes are

still 13ft. upstream of the grid. In gen eral, then, the characteristics

of wave deformation in the wake show a sign ifica nt reduction in wave height

for approximately one grid width on either side of the centerline and an

amplification beyond this region.

Figure 15 represents similar data for a 6ft. long wave--all other

conditions being equal. The general characteristics of wave deformation

20
 . R-1469 .

are identi·cal to the 2ft. long wave except that the magnitudes of the

changes are reduced. For example, the minimum wave height along the

centerline is now 30 percent of the incident wave while the maximum wave

height is 35% larger than the incident wave.

The envelope of wave height at the moving probes is given in Figures

16 and 17 for wave lengtns of 2 ft. and 6 ft. respectively. The wave probe

positions are at distances of ft. and 6 ft. aft of the grid and just off

its centerline. The grid was 3ft. wide, had a draft of 1.7 ft. and a mesh

size of 2.7 inches . Figure 16 presents results for grid speeds of 1.0 and

1.6 ft/sec., while Figure 17 is for speeds of 1.0 and 2.6 ft/sec. It is

seen that there is a continuous reduction in wave height with time. For

the 2ft. long wave and a grid speed of 1.0 ft/sec., the amplitude is re-

duced to nearly 10 percent of its initial value after approximately 20 ft.

of grid travel. It remains essentially at this value for the length of

the test record which extended for 30 seconds after the grid was stopped.

The effect of increasing the speed of the grid from 1.0 to 1.6 ft/sec. re-

duced the wave height to nearly 8% of its initial value. It is to be noted

that there is a distinct absence of oscillations in these time histories.

The results for the 6ft. long wave (Fig. 17) are essentially similar

to those for the 2ft. long wave . At a grid speed of 1 ft/sec., the wa~e

height is reduced to approximately 35 percent of its initial value. When

·the grid speed was increased to 2.6 ft/sec., the wave height was reduced to

12 percent of its initial value .

An overwater photograph of the wave deformation for a typical two-

dimension test is shown in Figure 18. The reduction in wave height along

21
 R-1469

the centerline wake area and the amplification outside this area are

clearly visible in this photograph.

Specific Results:

To more clearly illustrate the modifications in wave height along

. .

a given crest line, transverse sections through the wake are plotted in

Figures 19 and 20 for~ grid width of 3ft., draft of 1.67 ft., mesh of

2.711 and speed of 1 ft/sec. The effect of a grid draft of 0.83 is given

in Figure 21. The results for the 2ft. wave are given in Figure 19 while

those for the 6ft . wave are given in Figures 20 and 21. · These data are

obtained from simultaneous measurements of the recorded wave height at times

corresponding to the indicated distances ahead of an behind the grid . A

maximum phase shift of only 30° was discernible in the test records.

It is seen that a substantial reduction in wave amplitude exists

for a distance of nearly one grid width on either side of the centerline.

The maximum wave height amplification occurs at approximately two grid

widths from the centerline and the wave amplitude appears to be unaffected

at distances of approximately 4 grid widths from the centerline. This pat-

tern existi for distances well aft of the grid. It is interesti~g to note

that ; as the wave passes through and ahead of the grid, where the wake does

not exist, the deformed crest tends to return to its original uniform

height. Again, it is seen that the 2 ft. wave is much more attenuated

and amplified compared to the 6ft. wave, all other conditions being equal.

(Compare Figures 19 and 20.) It is also interest ing to note that reducing

the grid draft from 1.67 ft. to 0.83 ft. has a negligible effect on wave

deformation for the 6ft. wave. (Compare Figures 20 and 21 . )

22
 R-1469

Increasing the mesh size from 2.7 to 5.4 inches has a negligible

effect on the wave deformation. Increasing the width of the grid increased

the area of wave attenuation and wave amplification.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

Viscous and Turbulent Effects

The initial analysts of the experimental results was directed to

relating the observed wave deformations to possible physical mechanisms

associated with the turbulent and viscous nature of the grid-generated

wake. It was found that the large changes i~ wave height could not be ac-

counted for by these considerations--particularly in the two-dimensional

. grid studies. In this case, the square of the wave height was integrated

along a crest line passing through the wake to obtain a measure of the

energy ·in the deformed wave. This was compared with. the energy in the

incident wave for the same length of crest line . The results of this co~­

parison are presented in Table I for wave and grid dimensions selected to

be typically representative of the total test program. The length of in-

. tegrati6n, Y, along a given crest line was the distance between the grid

centerline and the point where the wave height was again equal to the in-

cident wave height. The· crest length thus includes both the attenuated

and amplified wave height regions. For a given test condition, the inte-

grations were carried out for several transverse sections through the wake,

both ahead of and aft of the grid. It is seen from Table I that the in-

tegrated expression representative of wave energy produces nearly similar

results with and without the towed grid. In fact, for some test conditions,

the integrated energy for waves in the presence of the grid results in

23
 R-1469

values somewhat higher than for the case of no grid--but this is attributed

to experimental inaccuracies . It thus appears that viscous dissipative

effects were quite small and, although they most certainly existed, their

magnitude could not be accurately detected because the limited number of

transverse wave probes were inadequate to trace the unexpected large wave

height deformation which developed along a crest line.

A measure of the rms of the velocity fluctuations in the turbulent

field yielded substantially the same values with or without waves passing

through the wake. This was not surprising since the energy imparted by the

. grid to the fluid at a tow speed of ft/sec was nearly an order of magni-

tude larger than the wave energy in a crestline length equal to the grid

width.

For the one-dimensional tests, it will be recalled that the wave

height at a given position in the wake exhibited large fluctuations and

was characterized by irregularities in the recorded time histories. These

results could certainly not be accounted for by dissipative mechanisms in

the turbulent field. It appeared then that for both the one and two-

dimensional studies the principal mechanism of wave height deformation

was due to a redistribution of energy along a crest line rather than to

dissipative effects. In this regard, the resu lts of Phillips (1959) were

examined to determine possible convective distortions of the wave front

resulting from scattering interference between wave and turbulence field.

It was found that the observed . results could not be accounted for by the

turbulent · scattering.

24
 R-1469

If, in the present studies then, turbulence is assumed to have had

a minor effect on wave deformation, it remained to examine the possible

interf~rence between the mean flow gradient in the wake and the incident

wave. The velocity profiles for the longitudinal mean flow aft of the

grids are plotted in F.igures 2 and 4 for the one and two-dimensional

studies, respectively . In both cases there is a relatively sharp velocity

. gradient between a region of constant wake velocity to zero velocity at

the tank wall for the one-dimension~l case and to zero velocity in the still

water adjacent to the finite grid wake in the two-dimensional case. By ap-

plication and superposition of elemental theories of wave refraction, de-

fraction and interference, it was found that the observed results could be,

at least, qualitatively reproduced and physical mechanisms described to

account for the large wave deformations observed .

A detailed analysis i s first made of the two-dimensional tests since

these results were free of possible wall reflection effects such as existed

in the one-dimensional studies. Further, the 2-D analysis will provide the

foundation for explaining the results of the 1-D studies which proved to be

the more complex case .

Wave Interaction with Finite Velocity Field

Two-Dimensional Results

The longitudi.nal mean flow in the finite wake area aft of the grid

is plotted in Figure 4 and is quantifiedbyan empirical formulation, Eq. (2) .

8
v -(1 ).
Vw = [0.45- . 00745x] Ie • 67 + · 062 x ]

25
 R- 1469

where :

Vw =mean value of longitudinal velocity in wake

V = grid velocity

x = distance aft of grid, ft.

y =distance normal to grid centerline, ft.

In the present analysis, regular waves in still deep water encounter

a variable current field V (x,y) moving in the same direction as the waves.
. w
The waves are initially refracted by the current to an extent dependent

upon the incident wave length, strength of current, and the velocity grad-

ients in the wake. The orientation of the wave-wake . system is shown in

Figure 22.

For progressive deep water gravity waves in still water, the phase

velocity of the wave, C , is given by:

0

c20 = g/k
0
(3)

where g = acceleration of gravity .A

0
= wave 1ength in sti 11 water

k
0
= wave number = 2n/.A
. 0
c0 = wave velocity relative to still water

After the waves have run from still water into a current,the kinematical

condition that must be satisfied is that the wave period, T, remains con-

stant ~hile the wave length, l, velocity C, and height Hw change. Given

a current velocity V , the constancy of wave period is expressed. as:

w

a = 2n
T = k(C+Vw) = k (C +V )
o o w
0
(4)

where the subscript, o, refers to the still water conditions.

Thus :

26
 R-1469

k c+v
o -=--~w- =
k::: c0 + vw
0

For the present case vw = 0 so that:

0

cz c - -vw= 0
cz0 c0 c0

and

c = l2 (c 0 + Jcz
0
+ 4vwc0 ) (5)

which is the wave speed relative to the water for waves progressing in the

same direction as the current.

More generally, for waves whose crest line is at an angle relative

to the x-axis:

(6)

where a is the angle between a wave ray and the x-axis (Fig. 22).

The wave velocity relative to the bottom C' is the vector sum of

the wave speed relative to the water and the local current.
-C' = -V + C (7)
w

The wave length for waves progressing in the same direction as the current

is thus:

~ ~·0
= + R2 (8) ·

It can be seen that the effect of a following current is to increase the

wave length relative to the water.

27
 R-1469 .

The analytical solution for the refraction of waves traveling

through a finite current field is obtained by application of Fermat•s

principle that waves will travel in a path such that the travel time is

a minimum. Applying the method of calculus of variations will lead to a

time history of the path of individual wave rays passing through the cur-

rent. For the purposes of this analysis, it will be assumed that the wake

properties do not vary with time . This is a reasonable assumption since

it has been demonstrated that, for a grid-speed of t ft/sec, the mean

wake-velocity is an order of magnitude less than the wave speeds . Mathe-

matically, the problem is to determine the. minimum time path of a given

wave ray through a current region defined by a position dependent velocity

vector. The magnitude and direction of the current are kna.vn as functions

of position (Eq. 2). The magnitude of the wave crest velocity relative to

the water is C, given by Eq. (6). The problem is to determine the path of

a wave ray such as to minimize the time necessary to travel from point A

to a point B. Analogous optimization problems for dynamic systems are de-

scribed by Bryson and Ho (1969).

The equations of motion are:

x( t) = -Vw (x,y) - C(x,y,a)cosa

· .y (t) = -C(x,y,a)sina (9)

with initial conditions

x{o) = X0
( 10)
y(o) = Yo
and at end of computation

x(tf) = xl

28
 R-1469

where tf is an unspecified terminal time of integration between points A

and B. It is required to find a(t) and tf such that the above constraints

are ~atisfied and that the performance ~ndex J(a) of elapsed time tf is a
minimum expressed mathematically,
tf
J(a) = J dt ( 11)
0

is a minimum.

From the methods of calculus of variations, the Hamiltonian of the

system is:

H(x,y,a,A ,A )
· X y
= 1 +AX (-VW - C cosa ) - A C sina
y
( 12)

where. AX and. Ay are Lagrange multipliers . The Euler-L.a grange equations are:

i x =-E!!.
ax

• aH
AY = - ay
•
X=--
aH
dAX

aH
y=-
dA . y

0 = !!:!.
aa
The terminal conditions are:

Ay(tf) =0
(14)
H(tf) =0
Since the Hamiltonian is not an explicit function of time, R = 0 and H is

a constant. Further, since H = 0 at the terminal condition, then it follows

that H = 0 for all 0 ~ t ~ tf.

29
 R-1469

Evaluating!~ from (12) and using the condition H = 0 leads to a

determination of the Lagrange multipliers.

C cosa + ac .
aa stna
A = ----------~~---------2
x V (C cosa + aaC sina) + C
w a
(15)
ac
a;
cosa - C sina
A = ----~----~~~~------
y V (C cosa + ~C si~a) + ci
W aa

The remaining differential equations are employed and, after exten-

sive algebraic manipulations (which will not be reproduced herein), the

following expression for a(t), the angular trajectory for minimum travel

time, is obtained.

2 2
~( t) = [V c a £_- v ~ ~ + ·c ~ sina
w axa~ w ax aa ax

avw ac • av
+ C - - - - stn2a + C2 _.Y:!... sina cosa
ax aa ax

a2c ac ac
+ C2 - - cosa- 2C ---- cosa
axaa ax aa

avw ac avw
C - - - - cos2a sina cosa
ax aa ax
ac
+ C2 -- cosa C2 ayaa
a2c .
stna
ay

ac ac • av
+ 2C - - s 1 na + C2 _.Y:!... cos2a
ay aa ay

av ac av z
+ 2C __..!!. - s ina cosa + _.Y:!... (~) s i n2a]
lj
ay aa ay aa

(16)
30
 R-1469

The partial derivatives of C and V . contained in Eq. (16) are ob-

w
tained from the definition of C and V as follows:
w

~---
c = -21 [C
0
+ c02 + 4VwC0 cosa]
8
Vw(x,y) = (0.45- 0.0074Sx} expf-< 1• 67 +Y0.006 2x) J

Thus:

ac 2 -112
---
aa - -Vw C0 sina (C0 + 4Vw C0 cosa)
ac -112 avw
ax = C0 cosa(C~ + 4Vw C0 cosa) ax-
ac -112 avw
ay = C0 cosa(C~ + 4Vw C0 cosa) ay
a2 c-
·-
av
= C sina __!!... I-(c 2 + 4V C cosa)- ·
112
axaa o ax o w o
+ 2 C cos (C + 4V C cos )-3/ 2 ]
0 0 w0
.a2 c avw -1/2
ayad = C0 sina ay I-(C 0 + 4Vw C0 cosa)

+ 2. C cosa(c2 + 4V C cosa)-3/ 2]
0 0 w 0
32
c = -v c cosa(c2 + 4V c cosa)- 112
aa2 w 0 0 w 0

- 2 V2 C2 sin 2a (C 2 + 4V C cosa)-3/ 2
w 0 0 w 0
and

+ V(0.45- 0.00745x) expf-< 1• 67 +YO.o6 2x) 8 ]

8 ( )7 [ 0.062y ,
- 1.67 + 0.062x - ~
1.67 + 0.062)2

31
 R-1469

av a
ay-w = V(0.45- y
0.0074Sx) exp[-( 1.6 7 + .OOG2x) ]

y 7 J
- 8 (1.67 + 0.0062x) (1.67 + 0.0062)

These equations were progra~ned and evaluated on the PDP-10 computer.

Refraction diagrams were obtained for several wave lengths, grid speeds, and

· Initial wake lengths . The present report presents the results for

). = 2, 6 ft.

Grid Width =3 ft.

Grid Submergence= 1.67 ft.

Grid Mesh= 2.7 in.

Grid Velocity= 1 ft/sec.

Wake Length
.
(x0 ) = 40 ft.
Actually, the empirical formulation for the wake velocity is associated

with the above grid geometry. The results for the 2 and 6 ft. waves are

plotted in Figures 23 and 24. These refract ion diagrams are actually con-

structed by the so-call ed "orthogonal" method wherei n a wave ray path is

obtained from the computer solution. The crest fines shown on the diagrams

are everywhere perpendicular to the orthogona ls and represent the crest pos-

ition ~t times corresponding to multip les of the wave period. This time in-

terval, multiplied by the local wave speed at each point on the crest, de-

termines the position of successive wave crests.

It is evident, for both wave lengths, that a large distortion of the

wave front occurs for the length of wave crest initially located between a

point 1 ft . from the wake centerline and a point 3.5 ft. from the centerline.

In fact, this 2.5 ft. length of crest is stretched to nearly eight times

32
 R-1469

this length after the wav~ has traveled dnly 30 ft. into the wake. The

local crest line divergence for the 2ft. wave is larger than that for

the 6ft . wave. A similar large stretching is evident for the length of

wave crest between 3.5 and 5.0 ft. from the centerline . Because of this

extreme divergence of orthogonals for localized lengths of wave crest, it

is not expected that refraction tech niques alone are sufficient to repre-

sent the present wave-current interference effects. In fact , it is expected

that diffraction along the wave crest must occur to provide for a flow of

wave energy along the crest. This modif i cation will be discussed subsequently .

The qualitative results obtained from the refraction analysis can

be summarized by describ ing the behavior of adjacent fin i te c rest lengths

as the wave passes through the wake. The i nc i dent wave can be divided into

four separate lengths as follows :

1} Cres t 1ength between and· 1 ft.

2}
'*
Crest length between 1 ft . and 3.5 ft.

3} Crest length between 3.5 and 5.0 ft .

4) Crest 1ength beyond 5.0 ft.

Crest Length Between i .and 1 Ft.

In this region, the current field is essentially constant across any

transverse sect i on and increases slowly in the longitudinal direction . The

effect on th i s f i nite wave is to increase the wave length in accordance

with Eq. (8). For a mean flow of 0.30 ft/sec., the 2 ft. wave length should

i ncrease by 20% while the 6ft . wave shou ld inc rease by 10%. This is in

reasonable agreemen t with the results i n Figs. 23 and 24 . Since the wave

length in creases , it is expected that the wave heights wilt decrease in

order to mainta in wave energy balance.

33
 R-1469

Phillips (1969) accounts for this wave en~rgy balance in treating

the case of long-crested waves running into a current in which the surface

velocity varies only longitudinally. His results, plotted on Figure 3.6

of his work, show .. that for the present conditions a wave height attenuation

of approximately 15% is expected for the 2 ft. wave and approximately 8%

for the 6ft. wave. This is considerably less than the experimentally at-

tained values of 80% to 90% attenuation previously discussed. Thus, the

refraction procedure alone does not account for the results observed in the

vicinity of the wake centerline. It will later be shown that diffraction

effects applied to this length of wave crest can indeed result in large

local attenuations of wav~ height.

Crest length Between 1 Ft. and 3.5 Ft.

The orthogonals for this crest length diverge rapidly in a direction

which causes the local wave crest to be redirected out of the wake area

into the still water. This finite crest length advances in a constant dir-

ection relative to axis system at a speed and wave length equal to the in-

cident wave. It then crosses the undeformed incident crest line at a dis-

tance 5 ft. from the wake centerline. As a first order effect, it can be

assumed that the wave heights decrease as the square root of the ratio of the

initial wave ray separation to the separation at any subsequent position of

the local crest. For the 2 ft. long wave at a position 12 ft. aft of the

grid (28 ft. into the wake), the wave height (Figure 25) indicates that

the averag·e wave height for this local crest is approximately 30% of the

incident wave height.

34
 R-1469

The deflection of this local wave crest length into the area of

the incident wave could account for the irregularity observed in the wave

height time histories at fixed points between 7 and 12 ft. from the wake

centerline.

Crest length Between 3.5 and 5 Ft.

For this length of wave crest, it was seen that adjacent orthogona ls

converge and finally cross, resulting in a caust i c curve (Pierson 1951) .

On the basis of simple theory , the wave became infinitely high on the caustic

which, of course, is not the case. At present , quantitative ana lysis of the

wave height at and beyond caustics must still be developed for the case

where variable currents produce wave distortions.

Crest length Beyond 5 Ft.

This length of wave crest is always outside of the wake cur rent

and thus continuously p~gresses through st ill water with no alteration in

wave length or speed. During its forward progress, it runs into the caustic

area and deflected wave crest originating between 1 ft. and 3. 5 ft. from

t he wake centerline.

Application of Analytical Results

Due to the omission of diffraction effects for each wave crest

segment, the refraction results discussed in this section are in themselves

insufficient to represent the test results . They are nonetheless invaluable

in forming the basis for providing qualitative information about the complex

processes governing the interaction of a wave system with a finite current

field.

35
 R-1469

Refraction Effects :

The results of the refracti~n analysis are first used to compute

wave heights along crest lines in transverse sections through the wake.

The deta iled results presented herein are for a transverse section 12ft.

aft of the grid and for a current field ext'ending 40ft. aft of the grid

(as shown in Figures 23 and 24) . Thus, the wave has progressed 28ft.

into the wake at the time of computation. The grid was 3 ft. wide; had

a mesh of 2.7 inches; a draft of 1.67 ft .; and a tow speed of 1 ft/sec.

Computations were made for 6 ft . and 2 ft. long waves. The experimental

results for these conditions have already been presented in Figures 19 and 20.

Since the purpose of this computation is mainly to compare quali-

tatively the measured results with elemental analytical results, simplifying

assumptions were introduced. First , it was assumed that the local wave

height between adjacent orthogonals is inversely proportional to the square

root of the distance between these adjacent rays. Thus,

R. 1/2
= (~) ( 17)
R.

\'Jhere:

R. = separation distance between adjacent rays in s t i 11 water

0

R. = separation distance between adjacent rays on the deformed

crest 1 i ne

H
w0 = local wave height in s t i 11 water

H
w = local wave height along deformed crest 1 i ne

This enabled wave heights to be constructed along a wave crest from the

centerline to a distance approximately 6 feet from the centerline. Beyond

36
 R-1469

this point, there is a superposition of the deflected wave segment with

the undisturbed length of the incident wave. In this area, the two waves

are combined in proper phase as indicate~ by the crest line plots in Figures

23 and 24. The section of wave crest that develops into a caustic has not

been included in this elemental construction. The results of this simple

refraction analysis are plotted in Figures 25 and 26 for the 6 ft. and 2 ft.

wave lengths. It is seen that this procedure results in essentially unmod-

ified crest heights just aft of the physical grid; then large reductions

in wave height for areas transverse to the grid and, final ly , increases in

wave height in those areas where the deflected segment of the wave combines

with the undeformed segment of the incident wave. The results of the refrac-

tion computations do not entirely agree with the experimental data--particularly

in the region of the grid wake where the test results show significant at-

tenuations in wave height while the computed results show no wave height

attenuation.

Considering the variation of computed wave height along the crest

line (Figures 25 and 26), it is seen that there is a large increase in wave

height for positions less than and greater than approximately 6 ft . from

the grid centerline. At this 6ft. point, the computed wave height is a

minimum. These transverse gradients cannot remain in equilibrium and thus

represent a source of energy flow along the wave crest from the regions of

large wave height to the point of low wave height . This is a diffract ion

phenomenon which exists simultaneously with refraction effects. A rigorous

theoretical analysis of this problem appears to be extremely complex and is

yet to be developed. For the purposes of the present study, a simplified

37
 R-1469

analysis is developed which combines the results of elemental solutions of

wave refraction, diffraction and superposition. Although not completely

rigorous, this simplified approach _ is tenable and relatively easily applied.

Diffraction Effects :

As normally considered, wave diffraction occurs when part of a wave

is "cut off" as it moves past an obstruction such as a breakwater. The por-

tion of the wave moving past the tip of the breakwater will be the source

of a flow of energy in the direction essentially along the deformed wave

crest and into the region in the lee of the· structure. As explained by

Wiegel, the "end" of the wave will act somewhat as a potential source and

the wave in the lee of the breakwater will spread out with the amplitude

decreasing exponentially along the deformed crest line. The mathematical

so 1uti on of this phenomenon, wh·i ch is taken from the theory of acoustic and

light waves, is described by Penny and Price (1952), Johnson (1952) and

Wiegel (1964). The solutions for two basic d i ffraction phenomenon are pre-

sented by Wiegel: one is the case of a semi- i nfin i te breakwater and the

other is for the case of waves encountering a sing l e gap in a very long

breakwater. The solution for both cases are presented by Wiegel in the

form of contour plots of equal diffraction coeffi c ie nt , K, defined as the

ratio of the wave height in the area affected by diffraction to the wave

height in the area unaffected by d iffraction. For the case of the wave

passing through a single gap, the solutions a re presented for various ratios

of wave length to gap width.

In applying these diffraction results to the present study, it has

been assumed that the refraction phenomenon prev i ously discussed divides

38
 R-1469

the wave crest into several segments which are separately diffracted as

they pass through the grid wake. Specifically, the segment of the wave

crest just aft of the grid is assumed to behave as though it was a section

of the wave which passed through a breakwater gap equal to the grid width.

The justification for this analogy follows from the refraction results

given on Figures 25 and 26 where it is shown that , for a distance of approx-

imately one-half the grid width on either side of the grid centerline, the

wave height in the wake is always equal to the incident wave height. Clear-

ly, this segment of the wave cannot be maintained at a constant height

since just outboard of this segment the refraction analysis yields a small

wave height . Thus, it appears reasonable to assume that diffraction effects

will be developed and that this centerline segment of the wave will reduce

in amplitude and spread transversely along the crest as it proceeds into

the grid wake . The diffraction coefficients will be taken to be those

corresponding to a wave at a breakwater gap as given on pages 188-189 of

Wiegel.

One other portion of the incident wave which appears to be modified

by diffraction is that segment of the incident wave which is located 5 ft .

outboard of the grid centerline . From the wave refraction diagrams on Fig-

ures 23 and 24, it is seen that wave rays and crest Jines outboard of 5 ft.

are not influenced by the grid wake . Simple refraction considerations then

result in a wave of constant amplitude along this length of the wave f ·ront .

Again, this constant wave height cannot be maintained and a defraction pro-

cess develops which causes a lateral spreading of the wave crest into the

wake area with an attendant reduction in wave amplitude . This lateral flow

39
 R-1469

of wave energy can be compared to the case of water passage past a semi-

infinite breakwater, the solution for which is plotted on page 183 of

Wiegel • Typicaf diffraction diagrams for the case of breakwater gap

and semi-infinite barrier are given in Figures 27 and 28 of this report .

The computed results for these two diffraction processes are plotted

in Figures 29 and 30 for the 6 ft .. and 2 ft. wave lengths respectively.

Again, the computations are made for transverse section approximately 28 ft.

into the grid wake. For the 6ft. wave, the ratio of effective ''gap width"

to wave length is 3/6 = .50; for the 2ft. wave, the ratio is 3/2 = 1.50.

It is seen that the initial constant height wave segment between the grid

centerline and 1.5 ft. outboard is diffracted to approximately . 30 of this

height and is spread laterally to a distance nearly 12ft. from th e grid

centerline. Considering the diffraction of the entire wave segment initially

5 ft. outboard of the grid centerline, it is seen that thi s section is spread
inboard to the grid centerline with a corresponding reduction in wave he ight

at approximately .30 of its initial height. It is seen that, for this wave

segment, the attenuation of wave height as it spreads to the centerline is

much more rapid for the 2 ft. wave than for the 6 ft . wave .

Superposition of Elemental Results

The results of the refraction and diffraction results have been supe r-

posed in order to provide an analytical estimate of the wave height distrib-

ution along a crest line as it progresses through the grid wake. The c6mpu-

tations were carri ed out for a trans ve rse section 12 ft . aft of the grid

for a grid wake 40 ft. long. Th ese are identical to the refraction calcul-

ation s previously described. The following procedure is used in thi s super-

position of elemental results:

40
 R-1469

a) The initial crest length between the grid centerline and 1. 5 ft.

outboard is diffracted by the breakwater gap technique as plotted on Fig-

ures 29 and 30.

b) The initial crest length 5 ft. outboard of the grid centerline

is diffracted by the technique of wave passage past a semi ~ infinite barr ier

as plotted on Figures 29 and 30 .

c) The segment of wave length initially between 1. 5 ft . and 3.5 ft .

is refracted by the orthogonal method and the wave heights are obtained by

Eq. (17). The or ientation (or phase) of thi s wave crest segment to the

transve rse section 12 ft. aft of the .grid is obtained from the computed re-

fraction diagrams such as given in Figures 23 and 24 . The resultant wave

heights for this segment are plotted on Figures 29 and 30 .

d) The segment of the wave crest between 3.5 ft . and 5.0 ft . out-

board has been neglected in this simplified procedure since it develops

into a caustic line .

e) The results of (a), (b), (c) and (d) are supe rposed to obtain

the final wave height distribution .

The results of the above procedure are presented i n Figures 29 and

30 for the 6 ft . and 2 f t . wave respectively and compared with the experi-

mental data . I t is seen that .agreement between computed and measured re-

sults is qua l itativel y acceptable for the 2ft. wave length and is good

for the 6ft . wave length . I t appears then that the phys i cal processes

responsible for the observed deformation of waves progressing into a fin i te

current field have been established . It is strongly recommended that

furthe r stud i es of this problem be directed towards the development of a

41
 R-1469

unified, rigorous theory which can be used to quantify this interesting

wave-current interaction phenomenon.

One-Dimensional Resu lts

No similar detailed a nalysis has been ma de of the one-dimensional

results previously described . It does appear, however, that the trans-

verse gradient in the long it udina l wake velocity ex isting at the outer

edges produces a locnl wave refrac tio n. This refra cted wave segment must

then be reflected from the _tank walls and progress across the wake, running

into similarly refracted wave segments from the opposite wall. These con-

·tinuously crossing wave segments passing over the incident wave may develop

distortions in wave height time histories such as observed in the experi-

ments. The wave height irregularity at any point in the wake thus precludes

a reliable evaluation of the dissipative effects of the grid-produced t~r­

bulence since only two wave probes were used in this study .

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDIES

The origina l objective of the present study was to investigate ex-

perimentally the in teraction between grav i ty waves and turb ul ence fields

generated in the wake of a towed grid. Unfortunately , the longitudinal

mean flow veloc i ty gradients in the wake had a dominating effect on wave

deformation and thus precluded a direct eval uation of turbulence effects

alone . Although, in a realist ic ocesn environment, turbulence fields can

be generated by , and exist simultaneously with, velocity gradients in ocea n

currents , i t is nevertheless of fundamental sc ient ifi c interest to study

separately the effects of turbulence fields wi th no mean flow interacting

42
 R-1469

with gravity waves. The results of such an elemental turbulence study can

then be combined with velocity gradients to repres e nt wave passage through

realistic ocean currents. Also, the results can be used alone to study

the wave interaction with isolated turbulence fields such as exist, for

example, in regions of 11
splash 11 turbulence developed by breaking waves.

It is thus recommended that the present study be continued but

with an experimental apparatus designed to produce localized turbulence

areas with no mean flow. The experimental procedure should be capable of

generating turbulence fields of controlled eddy size, turbulence intensi-

ties, depth of penetration below the free surface, and length and width

of turbulence patch. It is further recommended that the turbulence gener-

ator be capable of developi'ng vortices with either a horizontal axis or

a vertical axis or a combination of both .

The control of the vortex direction will be important in the study

of the eddy viscosity interaction in which energy is transferred from the

wave motion to the turbulence. As discussed by Phillips (1959) , the passage

of the wave results in straining the elements of the fluid near the surface

in a manner periodic in time . The mean strain per cycle of the incident wave

is of second order , namely (a/A) 2 , where a is the amplitude and A the wave

length of the incident wave . The wave motion thus provides a mechanism for

stretching the vortex lines that operates in addition to the siretching in-

herent in the turbulence itself, and so tends to increase ~ 2 , the mean

square vorticity associated with the turbulence. It is expected th a t this

possible mechanism for transfer of wave energy will be for waves interacting

with vertical vortex fields. In this case, the vertical velocity gradient

43
 R-1469

in the long-crested wave stretches the vertical vortices in the turbulence

field, but should not effect the horizontal vortices. An experimental

setup designed to control the direction of the turbulent vortices can be

most instructive in understanding this dissipative process.

The experimental procedure proposed to develop controlled turbulence

fields with no mean flow is to sinusoidally oscillate a series of grids in

a physically confined area in .still water . The barrier confining the tur-

bulent field can be constructed of four thin, vertical plates housing a

rectangular box penetrating through the water surface to a depth below the

lower ends of the oscillating grids, After oscillating the grids, the rect-

angular barrier can be lifted above the water surface just as the waves ap-

proach so that there is an interaction between waves and turbulence.

1
The

dimensions of this rectangular container can be varied to represent various

sizes of turbulence areas. The use of an oscillating grid in a confined

area has been investigated by Murray (1968) in his laboratory studies of

horizontal turbulent diffusion. In his work, the grids which filled a 50 em

wide channel were composed of several rods 1 em in diameter and 5 em apart.

The array consisted of 3 grids, each 30 em apart, and had a stroke of 40 em.

The following conclusions concerning the generated turbulence are described

by Murray.

1. There is no mean flow within the confined area of turbulence

generation. This is precisely the objective of the proposed experimental

procedure.

2. The oscillating array of grids produces turbulence fields which

are essentially homogeneous and stationary.

 R-1469

J. The turbulent velocity distributions are Gaussian.

4. Taylor•s statistical theory of turbulence effectively describes

the variance, scale time, and scale length of the generated turbulence field.

In summary then, the proposed turbulence stimulation technique ap-

pears to be ade~~ate for generating controlled and mathematically definable

localized turbulence fields.

The experimental procedure will consist in mounting the turbulence

generator over a section of the 75ft. square tank away from the side walls.

The grid array would be oscillated to generate the turbulence field and

mechanically generated gravity waves would approach this field. Just prior

to the waves reaching the . area of turbulence, the rectangular barrier sur-

rounding the oscillating grids would be lifted clear of the water surface

so that the waves would interact only with the turbulence. It is expected

that the lateral diffusion of the turbulence area will be very slow compared

to group velocity of the gravity waves so that, at least for the passage of

several wave le_ngth.s, the turbulence properties may be assumed to be sta-

tionary.

Parametric variations in _this study will include:

1. length and width dimensions of turbulence area;

2. depth of turbulence area below water surface;

3. spacing of vertical oscillating rods alone to investigate

the interaction between vertically oriented vortices and

gravity waves;

4. spacing of horizontal oscillating rods to investigate the

interaction between horizontally oriented vortices and

gravity waves;
45
 R-1469

5~ combination of (3) and (4) to construct a grid having a rect-

angular mesh of varying dimensions to provide for various

scales of two-dimensional turbulence;

6. vary speed of grid oscillation to obtain various levels of

turbulence intensity;

]. vary length and height of gravity waves .

Measurements should be made of the wave-height time history at

various locations both inside and outside of the turbulence patch. A spec-

tral analysis of these wave height time histories should be carried out

to determine the extent of wave scattering due to the presence of turbulence.

Further, a hot film prove should be slowly towed through the turbulence area

to characterize its statistical properties with and without the presence of

passing waves.

It is believed that the suggested experimental procedure is practical

and can provide data necessary for basic studies of gravity waves interacting

with local turbulence areas.

CONCLUSIONS
An experimental study was undertaken to investigate the lnteraction

between deep water gravity waves progressing into a turbulent flow field

generated by a finite width grid moving in the wave direction in a large

towing tank. It was found that the lateral gradient of the mean longitudi-

nal flow in the wake had predominant influence on wave deformation and pre-

cluded an evaluation of the direct effect of turbulence.

The presence of the velocity gradients resulted in combined refrac-

tion, diffraction and interference between finite and adjacent segments of

46
 R-1469

the incident crest line. Their combined effects were to reduce the wave

heights in the wake area to approximat e ly 10% of their original value.

The wave heights outside of the wake were increased to values 75% larger than

their original value.

An elementary analysis was performed of the refraction of waves en-

tering a finite current fi eld . A combination of these results with simple

diffraction considerations qualitatively reproduced the measured crest line

deformations . A unified theoretical study of this complex problem is required

to provide quantitative results.

Recommendations for further investigation of wave inte raction with

turbulence field with no mean flow are made .

It appears that the present results may be useful in developing full-

11
scale procedures for local quieting 11 of the deep water waves behind support

ship for retrieving or launching submersibles or landing craft in a follow-

ing sea.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author wishes to express his appreciation to Dr. R. Hires of

Stevens . Institute of Technology for valuable discussions and technical advice

rendered during the course of this study . He is also indebted to Professors

W. J. Pierson, Jr. and G. Neumann of New York University for their continued

encouragement and helpful suggestions throughout the study. Prof~ssor

Eric S. Posmentier of New York University is thanked for his thorough review

of the dissertation.

47
 R-1469

REFERENCES

Bryson, A.E., Jr. and Ho, Hu-Chi, Applied Optimal Control Theory,

Blaisdell Publishing Co., 1969.

Johnson, J.W., "Generalized Wave Refraction Diagrams," Proc. Second

Conf. Coastal Eng., Berkeley, Cal. (1952)

Johnson, J.W., "Generalized Wave Diffraction Diagrams, " Proc. Second

Conf. Coastal Eng., Berkeley, Cal., the Engineering Foundation on

Wave Research, 1952, pp. 6-23.

Murray, S.P., "Simulation of Horizontal Turbulent Diffusion of Particles

Under Waves," Coastal Engineering Proceedings of Eleventh Conference,

London, England, Sept. 1968, Vo1.1; pp. 446-466.

Penny, W.G. and Price, A.T., "The Diffraction Theory of Sea Waves by

Breakt,.raters and the Shelter Afforded by Breakwaters," Phi 1 Trans.

Roy. Soc. (London) Sec. A, ?.44 (March 1952) 236-5).

Phillips, O.M., "The Scattering of Gravity Waves by Turbulence, J. Fluid

Mech., Vol. 5, part 2, PP• 177-192 ( 1959).

Phillips, O.M., The ·Dynamics of the Upper Ocea~, Cambridge University Press.

Pierson, W.J., Jr., "The Interpretation of Crossed Orthogonals in Wave

Refraction Problems," U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Beach Erosion

Board, Tech. Report No. 21, January 195 1.

Stewart, R.W. and Grant, H.L., "Determinat ion of the Rate of Dissipation

of Turbulent Energy Near the Sea Surface in the Presence of Waves,"

J. Geophysical Res ., Vol. 67, No. 8, pp. 3177-3180.

Taylor, G.J., Statistical Theory of Turbulences, Parts I-IV, Proc. Royal

Society A, 151, pp. 421-428.

Wiegel, R.L., Oceanograph ical Engineering, Prent ice-Hall, Inc. (1964).

48
 R-1469

TABLE I

COMPARISON OF WAVE ENERGY WITH AND WITHOUT TOWED GRID

0 y' ft. y
y
Eg =I h2dy Eng = H2 y
w
(with towed gr id) (no grid)
Wave * Grid * Transverse Section
>. H
w
L ·o M VG Position ** Eng Eg
6.0 . 09 3.0 1.7 .22 1.0 ft/sec 5>. (F) .067 ft3 .069 ft 3
6>. (A) .063 .060
32>. (A) .058 .064
6.0 .09 3.0 1.7 .22 1.7 2>. (F) . 081 . 082
2>. (A) . 081 . 0~3
7'A(A) . 081 .079
2.0 .09 3.0 1.7 . 52 1.0 5A (A) .0 81 .081
6>.(A) .087 .092
32A (A) .081 .075
6.0 .09 5.5 1.7 .22 1.0 2>. (F) .093 . 100
2>.(A) .087 .099
4>. (A) .087 .099
2.0 .09 3. 0 • 85 .22 1.0 5A (F) . 081 .098
6>. (A) .0]2 .078
23>. (A) .081 .091
6.0 .09 3. 0 .85 .22 1.0 2A(F) . 081 .079
2>-(A) .070 . 076
4>. (A) .070 .078
*Wave and grid dimensions in feet; L = grid width ; D = grid immersion ;
M = grid mesh

**(F) is transverse section forward of grid (ft)

(A) Is transverse section aft of grid (ft)
49
 FIG. I TEST SET-UP ONE DIMENSIONAL GRID
----1 t--- 0 . 54"
20" GRID DIMENSION

SMALL MESH 2.7"

6' LARGE MESH 5.4"
TANK No.3
CROSS-SECTION

I_ 12' -J

:::0
V1 I
0
~
0'
\.0

WAVE MAKER 7

BEACH
MOVEABLE GRI D
r-70' ---1
- I
I:
0 MOV ING WA VE WIRE
I
- ~
1:!---+--
f
0 STATIONARY WAVE WIRE

r- 3 13' I
-;
 R-1469

GRID WIDTH=II.50', DRAFT=20"; MESH SIZE=5.4"

(GRID TOWED IN 12 FT WIDE TANK)
VELOCITY PROBE AT 10" DRAFT
Vw=WAKE VELOCITY; V=GRID VELOCITY
0.5
TANK
0.4 WALL
I
Vw 0.3 I
I
v 10 FT AFT OF GRID I
0.2
I
0.1 I
0

0.5
TANK
0.4 WALL

Vw 0.3
-v
0.2 20 FT AFT OF GRID

0.1

0
0 2 3 4 5 6
t y= LATERAL DISTANCE FROM GRID (f., FEET

FIG. 2. LONGITUDINAL VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION IN GRID WAKE

51
 FIG.3. TEST SET - UP TWO DIMENSIONAL GRID

I .-:r
1.67'i1 r- ··I· WATER LEVEL _1.
1 4 GRID DIMENSION

t''7·~ 75'
fl SMALL MESH 2.7•
LARGE MESH 5.4•

:; :.
l
·.·.·
:::::
;o
1.11
N I I

+-
(j\
1..0
TANK No.2 PLAN VIEW

75'
'II
TANK No. 2 CENTER Ll NE
- -

37.5'

_I<!!L-r
0 MOVING WAVE WIRE 17'
MOVING GRID
0 STATIONARY WAVE WIRE 3' WIDE 4 92"
 R-1469

GRID WIDTH=36"; DRAFT=20"; MESH SIZE=2 . 7"

(GRID TOWED IN 75 FT WIDE TANK l
VELOCITY PROBE AT 10" DRAFT
y 8
V1 Vw
-Vw =[ 0.45-0.00745 x] [ e_(1.67+ 0.062 x) J
~GRID
v
Vw =WAKE VELOCITY 1 FT I SEC
v =GR I D vEL 0 c I T yI FT I sEc
.
1
V: '-~--"""'---~_..I~_.......
·:
X
-;.
O.SO ...__X_=_0-'.-5_8_F_T--J
·=
·:·
::: 0 2 3 4 5
5
=~=
·::: 1-
>- y
c::: u
t- )- :::. 0
LLI 1- ·:::. ..J
LLI - :·:· w
LL u ·:·:· >
~
0 :;:;:
0 ..J ::::: 0
w -;.:.,

~·--~--"------..,;;:..._
~ ~. .
0::
0::
C>
LL
0
; f: t1
:::> ·::::: w
Vvw
0.50
_ X =20.5 FT

__ _ __,
t- 10 :::!: :·:·:· X:
.••••• <t
LL
:X :;::;: ~
<( -" .. ·.· 0 2 3 4 5
LLI
i ;.;::: 0
y
u
z
<(
~ {i ~
t- w :;
(f) C> ::
0 0 ·:
w :;

15
:;

~E=:I=:r=:J::::::::j==-.J
- X=37.5 FT
Vvw
o.5o .. I
I

0 2 3 4 5
20
y

0 2 4 6 8 10
LATERAL DISTANCE FROM GRID Cf. 1 FEET

FIG. 4. LONGITUDINAL VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION IN GRID WAKE

53
 L 0
12' - ·I
I
·--r . 8 .I 0 I

c
t>GRID

> WAVE h =WAVE HEIGHT

GRID MESH= 2.7"
GRID DRAFT=I.67'
CD~J~JvHw_~HJiI
r\H~~ I

l. 66.50' ...... j.l:>·~

1
12 •

_j_J~~~ If fi\1\i1h~~

®
rw~~~~WIJM ~
LENTERS WAKE
0 ;:Q

'£- r~~~H~~HMH~ 1
I
~

Lm~W~m~~m
+"
<i'
\.0

0 STAT I ONARY CONTROL WAVE

DIM~~~W~INJ~WI~ WWWNNN~WNJ#m:~~
t GRID START 1 GRID STOPPED

I I I I I I I I I
o 10 20 30 40 so 60 10 ao 90 roo
Tl ME- SECONDS

FIG. 5. TYPICAL WAVE PROBE TIME HISTORIES -ONE DIMENSIONAL GRID

\ t II
"=4 Hw=l.2 V = I .7 FT I SEC
 1.60
t.::
~25'-t--. ·-+-·-
-====-~c::-;:::.· v

1.20
12' f ~!·--+--::-=:r-
t.____ --==="""'[> V WAVE

,~... , .. 12'

GRID
STOPPED
.c:.
........ 0.80
.c:.

0.40
:;g
\J1 I
\J1
-'="
0'
\.0
o~--~~~~--~--_. ___.___.__ ~--~--~--~--~--._ __.___ ~--

68 e= PHASE ANGLE BETWEEN

300 WAVE CREST AT POINT •
AND POINTe. POSITIVE
6 6 ~
200 6 WHEN(.} LEADS (el
(!) 6 6
w ~
0
. 6
100 6 6 6
<D

0
·20 40 60 80 100 120 6 6 160
-100 TIME AFTER GRID START- SECONDS

FIG. 6. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
A= 3 I H w =I. 2" GRID MEsH =2. 7 " DRAFT = I. 6 7 I v = I . I FT Is E c
 ::·
1.60

f--~n
===r>v .

--===t> V WAVE
1.20
L r:.:l32s· ~
16.50'
12· =:J
........
.c.
'0.80
~,,
.c. \ '.--__......,/~
\ ~ ~/'\
\...--'..... ~

0.40

;x:J
I

___.___.___.__
V1
(j'\
.+:-
(j'\
o~----------~--~--_. ~----~--~--._----------~----------~
\.0

A.e =EFFECTIVE WAVE LENGTH

61- I BETWEEN POINT a AND
6 POINTe
1-
4.
-
Q.l
--<
:L I ..l
66
I
l1

I
6

I
6

I
666
I I
A
I
A
I
l1 l1
6 6
6A
6 6
6

A M 6

3
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
TIME AFTER GRID START-SECONDS

FIG. 7. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
A=3' Hw=t.2" GRID MESH=2.7" ORAFT=I.67 ' V=t.l FT/SEC
 1.60
L. ==;=--
4 25' r=·- .--f
. 12'
===t>v
y- · .. I t . :>vwAvE
,........
,"" .... "\. 1: 13.25· ... 14 12'-J
/ \
~A
", /......_\.//
- """"'-. v ----'\
/
~~-"
'
" "'
/'
'

~
. . . . . 0.80 ',v / \ ','v /\
~

GRID STOPPED

0.40 ,.,...
~
V'l I
-......!
+'"
(]'\
\.0
0

6 6
C) A
w 200
0 6
c
- 100 A
6
A
I I 6 I
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
TIME AFTER GRID START- SECONDS

FIG . 8 . ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WIT H ONE-DI MENSIONAL GRID
A=4' Hw=l.2" GRID MESH =2 .7" DRAFT=I.67' v =I.O FT/SEC
 1.60
--~·-·
f.
12
===:>v

~==D-VWAVE

1.20
GRID STOPPED

f-::.:_--.
.I:;
........ 0.80 ~\ // ........
.I:;

l \~/\ --L
I
I
\ ') I /

l..n
0.40
1\\ I
1/
I
;;o

--'="
I

00 (j\
I.D
0~--._--~--~--._ __.___.___.___.___.___ ~--~~~--~--~--~~

A
7

f.- A
~ 6
A
cv A AA A A
...< A A A A
5 A A A
A

46---._--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~--~~=---~--~--~~
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
TIME AFTER GRID START-SECONDS

FIG. 9 . ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
~=4' Hw=l.2" GRID MESH=2.7" DRAFT= 1.27' V=l.l FT/SEC
 1.60
L -+
4

·r --+----- · r · · 1
L·-·-t f, ====::::::;r> v

====t> VWAVE
!.' 20
1::13.25'::): 12':::J
.c -- - - - - - - - - - . -

I _. . ____ -----

~ ::::c
.
v ',
'v /
/ " vi,
tJ
\
............ /
//
~
.
-.. . "" ., --
'-' GRID STOPPED

:::0
\J'1
\.0

o I I I I I I I I I I I I
,.,
I I I I -I

-'="'
0'\
\.0

300

200
l!)
w
0
~ 100
<D · 40 100
oh 6 &----6 , , A ... , '6----1-t.a , , 011 6 , , ,
20 !::. l:l A80 120 140 /1 160
-I 00 ~ TIME AFTER GRID START-SECONDS

FIG.IO. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
A=8' Hw =1.0" GRID MESH =2.7" DRAFT= lr27' V= 1.1 FT/SEC
 1.60 r - l :>v

1.201-
t-·
~13.25'
16.50'--..j
I -

!
-12'

! j

f> VWAKE

·- I ·~ '\.
IGR~ STOPPED
.&;
~-
. . . . 0.80
.&; ~- ' . ,, ... ... .... ,, ....
~
I

0.40

·~ :::0
I
""
0
+:-
0 ""
1..0

1-
IT
10
1::. 1::. 1::. 1::.
1::. 1::.

~::.I 1::.
"'- 1::.

:t
~

(I)
1::.
..< 1::.

I I
20
I I
40
I
1::.

I
60
I I
80
I ,I
100
I
120
I I I
140
I
160
I
1::. 1::.
TIME AFTER GRID START-SECONDS

FIG.I.I. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
~=8' Hw=I.O" GRID MESH =2 .7" DRAFT=I.27' V=l.l FT/SEC
 1.60
I
4r-t-·-J r
L ._--=-41 f ==~!'>V

===;!>VWAVE

1.20 3.25 ;:::J: 12' .

.c.
.....
.c.
0.80 ['J\v·j~
\Nv.'/'v'' ~ I
I \ I I ,.

0.40
V \
\
\ /'
I
I

v
;::o
I
(7\
~
0\
o~--~~--~--~--_. ___.__. .__ ~--~--~--~--._ __.___.___ ~--
\D

STOPP~D
6 6
300
6
I GRID
6 6 6 6
200 6
6 6 lA
"'
w
0 100 6
6 6
6
~

<I> 6
I I I I I I I
I I I I I
. 20 40 60 80 AIOO 120 140 160

-100 TIME AFTER GRID START- SECONDS

FIG.I2. ENVELOPE OFWAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
A=3' Hw=l.t" GRID MESH =2.7" DRAFT=I . 27' V=l.7 FT/SEC
 L. --T
1.60
4

·r-=t--+-----t r
l:r3.25' •I~ 12·-=J
==~>v

-===!> VWAVE

1.20

FIG. I3. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING WITH ONE-DIMENSIONAL GRID
).:4' Hw=l.2" GRID MESH=2.7" ORAFT=I .27 ' V=l.7 FT/SEC
 t>v

-iTt. h _j__>t;.-TL
2
4 .2'
.
I
-1-·---
GRID

. . :> v WAVES
GRID
{
WIDTH =3.0'
DRAFT= 1.1'
MESH =2.7"

7.7 t +
, 5 .9
2
.+d(FT) !
'"4 . , .
+
I

!
9.4 .3
;:-----LINE OF STATIONERY WAVE PROBES
-3

d =t- 28
1.60 I

1.20

h
-------2
,... ;;;o

" /
(]'\ I
\N
/ +-
h·
I 0 .80 ' /
(]'\
\.0

" /
/
/
5

0.40 GRID PASSES OVER . I

WAVE PROBES
GRID STOPPED
7

0 .
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 eo
t =T I·ME AFTER GRID STAR T - SECONDS

FIG . I4. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHTS AT STATIONARY WAVE PROBES FOR 2- DI MEN S I ONA L GRI D
\
11. = 2
' Hw= 1.0 V= I F'T/ SEC ..
 , t>v
- {WIDTH =3.0'
. - --- GRID DRAFT=I.7'
====f> VWAVES MESH =2.7"

1.60

LINE OF STATIONERY WAVE PROBES

...... I . ....__ .........-: -----

4-~------
1.20
4\: <::::::: _ >
- ---3
- - ·5- - - - - - - - - 2

h
h-I ::0
0'
+" 0.80 -I

+"
0'
\.0
7

0.40

GRID PASSES OVER GRID STOPPED

WAVE PROBES

0 ~--------~------~------~_.--------~--------~----~--._--------~------~
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
t=TIME AFTER GRID START-SECONDS

FIG . I5.
\
1\=6
.
ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHTS AT STATIONARY WAVE PROBES FOR 2-DIMENSIONAL GRID
Hw=I.O
.. V=l FT/SEC
 1.00 WIDTH = 3.0'
6' AFT OF GRID GRID DR A FT : 2 0 "
{
GRID STOPPED MESH =2.7"

h
h·I V: 1.0 FT /SEC
0.50

o~--------~--------------------------_. _________.________ ~----------------~

;::tl
I

k-
()'\
\11
1.00 +:-
s' AFT OF GRID V= 1.60 FT/SEC
()'\
\.0

1' AFT OF GRID

~; osol\X GRID STOPPED

o I
0
I
10
--- I 20
I
30
! 40 50 60 70 80
TIME- SECONDS

FIG.I6. ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING IN WAKE OF 2-DIMENSIONAL GRID
A=2' Hw=I.O "
 GRID STOPPED
s' AFT OF GRID WIDTH =3.0'
1.00 l:c: ---
GRID DRAFT =20"
{
MESH = 2.7"

h
h.
I 0.50

1' AFT OF GRID

V =1.0 FT I SEC

0~--------------------------~--------~--------------------------~--------

;o
()"\ I
()"\

1.00 ~
\.0
GRID STOPPED

6' AFT OF GRID

h
h· 1' AFT OF GRID
I 0.50
V = 2.60 FT /SEC

0~------~~------~--------~--------~--------_.--------~--------~------~
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
TIME-SECONDS

FIG.I7.
\
1\=6
.
ENVELOPE OF WAVE HEIGHT AT WAVE PROBES MOVING IN WAKE OF 2-0IMENSIONAL GRID
Hw = 1.0
..
 R-1469

FIG. IS. TYPICAL WAVE DEFORMATION FOR 2 DIMENSIONAL GRID

67
 1.60

1.20

h
I~
-h·
I
0.80
:::0
0"\
CX> TRANSVERSE SECTION -I

+:'""
0"\
5 A AHEAD OF GRID \.D

- - TRANSVERSE SECTION
0.40 6 A AFT OF GRID

- -- TRANSVERSE SECTION
32 A AFT OF GRID

o~--------~----~----~----_.----------------------~----------~----
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
y: CE NORMAL TO GRID ~ -FEET
DISTAN_

FIG . 19 . HEIGHT OF WAVE CREST LINE I N TRANSVERSE SECTIONS NORMAL TO GRID i

A=2 ' Hw=l " GRID WIOTH=3' MESH = 2.7 " OR A FT=I.67 ' V =l FT/SEC
 TRANSVERSE SECTION
2A AHEAD OF GRID

- -- TRANSVERSE SECTION
1.60
2A AFT OFGRID

TRANSVERSE SECTION

1.20

L: / /
~ .::::: ..:::::.
-------- .
- -~
-----
7 A AFT OF GRID

~---
~
-~
h
h·I
0.80 :::0
0'\
1.0 -
~
I

0'\
1.0

0.40

o~--~----~----~----~----._----~--~----_.
0 2 4 6 8
_____.____._____
10
~--~
12
y=DISTANCE NORMAL TO GRID <t_ -FEET

FIG. 20. HEIGHT OF WAVE CREST LINE IN TRANSVERSE SECTIONS NORMAL TO GRID t,
A=6' Hw=l" GRID WIOTH=3' MESH=2. 7" ORAFT=1.67' V=l FT/SEC
 2 A FORWARD OF GRID
2 A AFT OF GRID
1.60
4 A AFT OF GRID

1.20
~~ -
~~

h
h·
I 0.80
:::0
-.....! 1
0

!
+:-
~
\0

040~
o~--~----~----~----~----~----._----~--~----~----~----~-----
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
y =DISTANCE NORMAL TO GRID i -FEET

FIG. 21. HEIGHT OF WAVE CREST LINE IN TRANSVERSE SECTIONS NORMAL TO GRID
A= 6' Hw = 1" GRID WIDTH= 3 ' MESH= 2.7 " DRAFT= 0. 83' V =I FT I SEC
 R-1469

DEFORMED WAVE CREST

I
WAVE RAYS
- ........ r--

- r----

- -{:> 1--

- -t>- 1--
X
-- -c>

- - i-Co r----V-
y
.....
.... t- -

....
...
- -f> t---

STILL WATER FINITE CURRENT FIELD

Vw =LONGITUDINAL CURRENT FIELD IN WAKE

C 0 =WAVE VELOCITY, STILL WATER

C .=WAVE VELOCITY, IN CURRENT

a =ANGLE BETWEEN WAVE RAY AND X AXIS

FIG. 22. WAVE- WAKE SYSTEM

71
 R-1 469

12

t- ·
w
w
u.. 16
0
-
-a:
C)

u..
0 20
t- LIN E S~
u..
<{

LLJ
u
z
I
<{ 24
t-
(/) 2'
0

28

( I) SHADED AREA REPRES E NTS L

GRID WA KE (FIG. 4 )
I
32 (2) Yo= INITIAL RAY POS I TION~
IN STILL WATER

36
WAVE CREST LINES

4 8 12 16 20 24 28
LATERAL DISTANCE FROM WAKE ~ , FEET

FIG. 23. CO MPUTED WAVE REFRACTION DIAGRAM

A=2' V= I FT/SEC

72
 R-1469
GRID
0 :.:.:·

12

..... WAVE RAY LINES~

liJ
liJ
ll.. 16 .
0
-0:
~

I
C)
NOTE : ( I ) SHADED AREA REPRESENTS
ll..
0 20 . GRID WAKE (FIG. 4 l
.....
ll.. (2) Yo= INITIAL RAY POSITION
<1:
IN STILL WATER
w
u
z
<1: 24
.....
(/)

28
WAVE CREST LINES

6'

40 ~~~~~~--~~--~--~------------~---------
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28
LATERAL DISTANCE FROM WAKE (l ,FEET

FIG. 24. COMPUTED WAVE REFRACTION DIAGRAM

A=6' V= I FT/SEC

73
 1.60
NOTE: (I) TRANSVERSE SECTION

1.20
12 FT AFT OF GRID
(2) WAKE LENGTH =40FT

l:l A
.,.,.,.
Lly-1.
----
A A A
...................
A ..... ""&-...._
l:l
I ~ -
GRID I ',
\ I
~i o.eof-
\
\
l:l I ~ EXPERIMENTAL DATA (FIG . 20)

\ l:l I --FROM REFRACTION COMPUTATIONS (FIG. 24) :;x:l

-....1
+:- L \ I
I

A. I ~
\.0
l:l
'' ' ....... _
_. / /
/ .

OL-----~----~----~--~----~~--~----~----~----~----._
o 2 4 s a 10
____._____ 12
y= DISTANCE NORMAL TO GRID ~ -FEET

FIG . 25 . RESOL TS OF REFRACTION COMPUTATION VERSUS MEASURED CREST HEIGHT ·

A.=s ' Hw=t" GRID WIDTH=3' MESH=2. 7" DRAFT=I.67" V= I FT/SEC
 ~
1.60
NOTE: (I} TRANSVERSE SECT I ON
ll ll
12FT AFT OF GRID
ll ll
(2} WAKE LENGTH= 40FT ,,.--- --.....6
ttl

A~ ~::.___,,_/
1.20
'\.
'\
'\ 6
6 6 llf
I
I
\
6/~ I

~::.'\6
ll \
h
~ 0.80 "ll I /
-.....!
I
"\ I ll ' ...../ :::0
I
V1
-'="'
(j\

ll EX PERl MENTAL DATA (FIG. 20) \.()

6"\ I
'-.
__ I FROM REFRACTION COMPUTATIONS

ll ' , _.,/ I
(FIG. 24)

ll
0 ' .
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
y=DISTANCE NORMAL TO GRID~ - FEET

-FIG. 26 . RESULTS OF REFRACTION COMPUTATION VERSUS MEASURED CREST HEIGHT

A=2' Hw=l" GRID WIDTH =3' MESH= 2 . 7" DRAFT= 1.67" V= I FT/SEC
 B=A
0.3
·-·

B=GAP
K': Hw I Hwo
~
4 l
...... .+-
0' 0'
y/ A \.0

10 ' I I I I I I 2> I I I I
0 I 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

FIG. 27. DIFFRACTION OF WAVES AT BREAKWATER GAP CONTOURS OF EQUAL

DIFFRACT I ON CO E F F I C I EN T ( J 0 H N S 0 N 19 52 )
 fOI \ I
• \ '
• II I I I: II II II 'I . I,I II Ir .:. . ____
1 \1 1.11.1\ It 11.1
I< t.0 \ ~ 1.0 I I 1.0 1

\ \ \ i 0 .91 I I
\ I I \ \0.91 1 .
81 \ \ \ \ II i I I I I I : I I I___,
\ \ I I II I I
\ \ I \ \1 1 I
\\\\\111
\ \ \ \ I\ I 1
61 \ \ ' \ I\ \ I I I 1I I I I 1-._

......,
x/L :;g
I
......,
~
(J'\
41 \ \ '. \ \\ \ \ I 1 I I I I l.....i...._ \.D

K' ~ 1.0
2 ' \\ 'c\\\ \'r-L...L

C' t f ' ' t I , - ..... , to.' I ll 1 · -~,-. ,, •• ,, ,, 1!

8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8

FIG. 28. .OJ FRACTION ·oF WAVEs· PASSING SEMI-IN FINITE BREAKWATER
{PENNY AND PRICE, 1952)

)
 · fl · EXPERIMENTAL DA1A (FIG.20)
-·- OIFRACTION OF ENTIRE WAVE SEGMENT
1.60 r-- ·. FROM 5 FT OUTBOARD OF Cl
--- 01 FRACTION OF WAV'E SEGMENT BETWEEN
q_ AND 1.5 FT OUTBOARD
-- REFRACTION OF WAVE SEGMENT BETWEEN
1.5 FT AND 3 . 5 FT OUTBOARD
RESULTANT
1.20
6.

f?AVL//JVA 6. -6. -- 6
-. -----·
-...,J
00
h
h·1
0.80

----
..;...--·~ · -----. ----· ---
NOTE: (11 TRANSVERSE SECTION
;;o
I

.::-

----·
~
--- • 12 FT AFT OF GRID \.0

.
--- ·---- ---- ------
________ ________
·---- •

___......
~
~ ~ .
(2) WAKE LENGTH= 40FT

'"'

-
-
-
~
.
I 1 1 I~ - I I 1- I I I I I I I
00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

z, DISTANCE FROM Cf. I FT.

FIG. 29. COMPUTED VERSUS MEASURED CREST HEIGHT

X.=6' Hw= I" GRID WIDTH: 3' MESH= 2. 7'' DRAFT= 1.67" V= I FT/ SEC

_!
 6 EXPERIMENTAL DATA (FIG.20)
1.60 [ - · - DIFRACTION OF ENTIRE WAVE SEGMENT

I ._
FROM 5 FT OUTBOARD OF <t
--- OJ FRACTION OF WAVE SEGMENT BETWEEN 6.
AND 1.5 FT OUTBOARD
-- REFRACTION OF WAVE SEGMENT BETWEEN
1.20 r - 1.5 FT AND 3. 5 FT OUTBOARD
RESULTANT 6.
6 6.

~
h 0.80 6.
hj 6.
/ NOTE: (I) TRANSVERSE S ECTION ::0

./
'-l I
12 FT AFT OF GRI 0
1.0
.,1:-
(2) WAKE LE NG TH=40FT 0'
o.4ot= _ _ _ _ ~-
--6._, "
-- --------- ;/- ~'\_----- ~
/
1.0

. '\_
0 ' /

/ z, DISTANCE FROM Cl, FT.

......_..... /
''-"'
-0.40

FIG.30. COMPUTE;D VERSUS MEASURED CREST HEIGHT

A= 2 I H =I" GR I D wI D T H =3 I ME s H = 2 . 7" D RAFT = I. 6 7 II v=I FT I sE c

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 R-1469

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 R-1.469

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Professor Willard J. Pierson, Jr.
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St't ' llti tv C"hs

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I ORIGINAT I NG AC TfVI TV (CorpotiJif! nuthot) 20. REI"ORT SECUR IT Y CLASSIFICATION

DAVIDSON LABORATORY UNCLASSIFIED

STEVENS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Zb. GROUP
CASTLE POINT STATION, HOBOKEN, N. J. 070'30
I REPORT TITLE

INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAV.ITY WAVES AND FINITE TURBULENT FLOW FIELDS

4 . DESCRIPTIVE NOTES (Type of repottend, lnc/uslve date~)

FINAL REPORT
s . AU THORISI (Firol name, middle Initial; la~t nnme)

DANIEL SAVITSKY

JSrb.
iv+48pp.+tables & fig
6 . REPORT OATE 7e, 0T~L NO . OF PAGES NO . OF REFS
JANUARY 1971 11
ea. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO. 9a, ORIGINATOR'S REPORT NUMBERC51

Nonr 263(36), Contract NR-062-254

b. PROJECT NO . REPORT SIT-DL-71-1469

c.
DL Project 2'321/087
9b. OTHER REPORT NOC91 (Any other numbers that may be assl~ned
I hi a report)

d.

10 . DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT

This document has been approved for public release and sale; its distribution
is un 1im i ted. Application for copies may be made to the Defense Documentation
Center, Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, A1exa nd r i a, Virginia 22314.
11. S UPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12. SPONSORING MILITARY ACTIVITY

OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH

DEPT. OF THE NAVY
13. ABSTRACT

A laboratory study of the interaction of deep water gravity

waves progressing into a turbulent flow field produced by a finite
width grid towed in a wide tank showed wave height attenuations of
nearly 90% in the grid wake and wave height amplifications of nearly
75% in the still water . outside the .wake. The transverse gradient of
long itudinal flow In · the wake was predominantly responsible for the
large wave deformations and precluded an evaluation of direct turbulence
effects.

A simple, analytical solution using wave refraction, defraction

and superposition concepts is developed which qualitatively reproduces
the measured result~.

D D /~oRv''\; 14 7 3 (PAGE I) UNCLASSIFIED

SIN 0101·807-6811 Se curity C la ssificatio n
A- 3 140 8
 UNCLASSIFIED
..
Scc u r lty ·CIA!!!!lrlcallon
I 4. LINK A LIN K 9 LIN K c
I< ltV WOAD I
AOL£ WT ROLE WT ROLE WT

Gravity Waves

Turbulence

·currents

Wave

Wave Refraction

UNCLASSIFIED
SI N 0 1 01· 807 · 6 821 Security Classification
DAVIDSON LABORATORY, Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, N. J.
INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES AND FINITE TURBULENT
FLOW FIELDS
Research Report 1469 [Final]. DL 2)21/087.
Daniel Savitsky. January 1971 . 48 p.
Contract Nonr 26;(;6). Office of Naval Research,
Department of the Navy.
This document has been approved for public release and
sale; its distribution is unlimited. Application for
copies may be made to the Defense Documentation Center,
Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22)14.
DAVIDSON LABORATORY, Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, N. J .
INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES AND FINITE TURBULENT
FLOW FIELDS
Research Report 1469 [Final] . DL 2)21/087.
Daniel Savitsky. January 1971. 48 p.
Contract Nonr 26;(;6) . Office of Naval Research,
Department of the Navy.
This document has been approved for public release and
sale; its d i stribution is unlimited . Application for
copies may be made to the Defense Documentation Center,
Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22)14.
DAVIDSON LABORATORY, Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, N. J.
INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES AND FINITE TURBULENT
FLOW FIELDS
Research Report 1469 [Final]. DL 2)21/087.
Daniel Savitsky. January 1971 •. 48 p.
Contract Nonr 26;(;6). Office of Naval Research,
Department of the Navy.
This document has been approved for public release and
sale; its distribution is unlimited. Application for
copies may be made to the Defense Documentation Center,
Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22)14.
DAVIDSON LABORATORY, Stevens ·Institute of Technology
Hoboken, N. J.
INTERACTION BETWEEN GRAVITY WAVES AND FINITE TURBULENT
FLOW FIELDS
Research Report 1469 [Final]. DL 2)21/087.
Daniel Savitsky. January 1971. 48 p.
Contract Nonr 26;(;6). Office of Naval Research,
Department of the Navy.
This document has been approved for public release and
sale; its distribution is unlimited. Application for
copies may be made to the Defense Documentation Center,
Cameron Station, 5010 Duke Street, Alexandria, Va. 22)14;