Design Curves for Hinged Wavemakers: Experiments

Abstract

Experimental data measured in large-scale wave flume (for the dimensionless wavemaker gain function and for the magnitude and phase angle for the dimensionless wavemaker hydrodynamic pressure moment on a hinged wavemaker) are compared with theoretical values computed from dimensionless design curves which are derived from linear wave theory. Dimensionless relative errors between experimental and theoretical values are tabulated for 21 discrete wave frequencies in each of two water depths. These dimensionless relative errors provide comparisons for over one decade of dimensionless relative water depth which cover both intermediate- and deep-water wave conditions for wave heights which are approx. 25% of the theoretical breaking limit. While measured data from smaller scale wave flumes have been previously published for the dimensionless wavemaker gain function, S/H, the measured hydrodynamic pressure moment data appear to be unique.