scholarly journals VARIATION OP LONGSHORE CURRENT ACROSS THE SURF ZONE

1970 ◽  
Vol 1 (12) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward B. Thornton

The wave-induced longshore current variation across the surf zone is described for a simplified model The basic assumptions are that the conditions are steady, the bottom contours are straight and parallel but allow for an arbitrary bottom profile, the waves are adequately described by linear theory, and that spilling breakers exist across the surf zone Conservation equations of mass, momentum, and energy, separated into the steady and unsteady components, are used to describe second order-wave-induced phenomena of shoaling waves approaching at an angle to the beach An expression for the longshore current is developed, based on the alongshore component of excess momentum flux due to the presence of unsteady wave motion Wave set-down and set-up have been included in the formulation Emphasis in the analysis is placed on formulating usable predictive equations for engineering practice Comparison with experimental results from the laboratory and field show that if the assumed conditions are approximately fulfilled, the predicted results compare quite favorably.

1988 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ib A. Svendsen ◽  
Rene S. Lorenz

The problem of combined cross-shore and longshore currents generated by waves in and around a surf zone is considered in its full three-dimensional formulation. The equations for the two current components are decoupled and it is found that for a cylindrical coast with no longshore variations the longshore current variation with depth and distance from the shoreline satisfies a Poisson equation. This equation is solved by a perturbation method and it is shown that the longshore velocities are always larger than the velocities found by classical theory. In the simple uncoupled case, the full 3-D current profile is constructed by combining the results with cross - shore velocities determined in previous publications. Also, the total velocities are larger than velocities found from simple depth averaged models.


1986 ◽  
Vol 1 (20) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.A. Svendsen ◽  
J. Buhr Hansen

A two-dimensional model for waves and steady currents in the surf zone is developed. It is based on a depth integrated and time averaged version of the equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and wave energy. A numerical solution is described based on a fourth order Runge-Kutta method. The solution yields the variation of wave height, set-up, and current in the surf zone, taking into account the mass flux in the waves. In its general form any wave theory can be used for the wave properties. Specific results are given using the description for surf zone waves suggested by Svendsen (1984a), and in this form the model is used for the wave motion with a current on a beach with a longshore bar. Results for wave height and set-up are compared with measurements by Hansen & Svendsen (1986).


1974 ◽  
Vol 1 (14) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivar G. Jonsson ◽  
Ove Skovgaard ◽  
Torben S. Jacobsen

The steady state profile of the longshore current induced by regular, obliquely incident, breaking waves, over a bottom with arbitrary parallel bottom contours, is predicted. A momentum approach is adopted. The wave parameters must be given at a depth outside the surf zone, where the current velocity is very small. The variation of the bottom roughness along the given bottom profile must be prescribed in advance. Depth refraction is included also in the calculation of wave set-down and set-up. Current refraction and rip-currents are excluded. The model includes two new expressions, one for the calculation of the turbulent lateral mixing, and one for the turbulent bottom friction. The term for the bottom friction is non-linear. Rapid convergent numerical algorithms are described for the solution of the governing equations. The predicted current profiles are compared with laboratory experiments and field measurements. For a plane sloping bottom, the influence of different eddy viscosities and constant values of bottom roughness is examined.


2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Jing Yuan ◽  
Ole S. Madsen

In this paper, the two common approaches to account for wave randomness, the spectral approach and the wave-by-wave approach, are compared through numerical experiments conducted with the coupling of a surf zone hydrodynamic model and a bedload sediment transport model. Special attention is paid to the wave nonlinearity and net cross-shore bedload transport predictions. The two approaches are found to have negligible difference in their predictions of certain average hydrodynamics, such as wave heights, set-up and undertow. However, the wave-by-wave approach outperforms the spectral approach in the wave nonlinearity prediction, and the two approaches differ significantly in their predictions of wave-induced net cross-shore bedload transport which strongly depends on wave nonlinearity. This suggests the necessity of using the wave-by-wave approach. The computational efficiency of the wave-by-wave approach is also discussed.


1978 ◽  
Vol 1 (16) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Uwe A. Hansen

In designing coastal protective structures the knowledge of the static load due to the water level elevation is as important as that of the dynamic load due to the waves. The structure, designed at sandy coasts with well formed surf zones on the beach - these areas are the basis of this examination - has to stand against both, the superposition of the static and dynamic load, which are dependent on each other. Undoubtedly a rise in the design water level (a summation of different influences - see figure 1) will cause an increase in the wave heights and the reverse will happen, when the design water level decreases.


Waves approaching a sloping beach induce a tilt in the mean water level within the surf zone. The existence of this ‘set-up’ is here demonstrated by observing the mean flow in a straight tube laid parallel to the incoming waves; also by showing that the waves induce a siphon in a U-tube laid on the sloping bottom. It is argued theoretically, and confirmed by experiment, that the set-up should help to drive an offshore bottom current (the undertow) between the shoreline and the breaker line. Seawards from the breaker line the bottom current is reversed. The consequent convergence of the bottom currents may contribute to building up the ‘breaker bar’. Further experiments show that the mean onshore pressure gradient drives a circulation of water within a porous beach. The associated pattern of streamlines also extends into the land, inshore from the run-up line. Theoretically, the injection of dye at the sediment-water interface might be used to probe the porosity of the beach material.


1984 ◽  
Vol 1 (19) ◽  
pp. 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
I.A. Svendsen

A theoretical two-dimensional model for wave heights and set-up in a surf zone is described and compared to measurements. The integral wave properties energy flux Ef, and radiation stress Sxx are determined from crude approximations of the actual flow in surf zone waves. Some physical aspects of the outer region are discussed and found to agree with our knowledge of the waves seawards and shorewards of this region.


1972 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward B. Thornton

The wave-induced sand transport alongshore is investigated by an energy principle approach. Although the energy approach has been used before, this is the first application to comparing theory and measurements of the distribution of littoral transport along a line perpendicular to the beach. Bed load transport equations are formulated for outside and inside the surf zone. Sand transport data were collected in the field using bed load traps. Wave, tide, wind, and current information was collected simultaneously in order to verify the derived predictive equations for longshore current and sediment transport. Quite reasonable predictions are obtained for the relative distribution of bed load transport, both inside and outside the surf zone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Adam C. Brown ◽  
Robert K. Paasch

A spherical wave measurement buoy capable of detecting breaking waves has been designed and built. The buoy is 16 inches in diameter and houses a 9 degree of freedom inertial measurement unit (IMU). The orientation and acceleration of the buoy is continuously logged at frequencies up to 200 Hz providing a high fidelity description of the motion of the buoy as it is impacted by breaking waves. The buoy was deployed several times throughout the winter of 2013–2014. Both moored and free-drifting data were acquired in near-shore shoaling waves off the coast of Newport, OR. Almost 200 breaking waves of varying type and intensity were measured over the course of multiple deployments. The characteristic signature of spilling and plunging breakers was identified in the IMU data.


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