Abstract
In this study, numerical simulations were conducted in order to understand the role of wave-current interactions in wave deformation. The wave-current interaction mechanisms, wave reflection and energy loss due to currents, the effect of incident conditions on wave-current interactions, the advection-diffusion characteristics of saltwater, and the effect of density currents on wave-current interactions were discussed. In addition, the effect of saltwater–freshwater density on wave-current interactions was investigated under a hypopycnal flow field via numerical model testing. Turbulence was stronger under the influence of wave-current interactions than under the influence of waves alone, as wave-current interactions reduced wave energy, which led to decreases in wave height. This phenomenon was more prominent under shorter wave periods and higher current velocities. These results increase our understanding of hydrodynamic phenomena in estuaries in which saltwater–freshwater and wave-current pairs coexist.
Highlights
In the ocean, various continually interacting physical external forces
A numerical wave tank was defined as shown in 9 in order numerically mechanisms of wave-current interactions according to Figure the velocity of thetoincident waveinvestigate and currentthe in mechanisms of wave-current interactions to the velocity of and the incident and current an open channel
Most of the laboratory experiments and numerical simulations for analysis of the wave-current interaction were performed under homopycnal flow conditions that do not consider the density discrepancy between the river and ocean
Summary
Various continually interacting physical external forces. In particular, estuaries are characterized by freshwater flows from land and saltwater flows from the ocean, which meet and form a major pathway for material transportation. Most studies that attempted to analyze the wave-current interaction mechanism at the estuary region did not consider the density discrepancy between freshwater and saltwater, and were performed under homopycnal flow conditions. Smith et al [10] investigated wave deformation by wave-current interactions in a 3-D experimental basin with an estuary model. In a 3-D experimental basin with an estuary model These experimental studies were not able to define the mechanisms of wave deformation and energy loss due to wave-current interactions. The wave height decrease mechanism, wave reflection, average water level, and turbulence energy caused by wave-current interaction were analyzed numerically. From the numerical simulation model considering hypopycnal flow, the influence of density current, that is exhibited in the case of density difference between the river and ocean, on wave-current interaction was thoroughly investigated
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