Almost limiting short-crested gravity waves in deep water

Abstract

We investigate the properties of almost limiting short-crested gravity waves with harmonic resonance for various incident angles. When the incident angle is less than 47.5°, the enclosed crest angle in non-resonant limiting waves is 90°, which corresponds to that in standing waves. In contrast, when the incident angle exceeds 47.5°, the enclosed crest angle in non-resonant limiting waves is 120°, which corresponds to that in two-dimensional progressive waves. The enclosed crest angle is 90° in resonant limiting waves for all incident angles. The crest becomes flatter than the trough in resonant limiting waves if the fundamental mode has a different sign from its harmonic resonant mode. Bifurcation of short-crested waves is also investigated.