Estimation of air-bubble-induced wave height and set-up using representative wave approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the possibility of modeling the wave height and set-up by using the representative wave method caused by air bubbles in irregular waves in the surf zone. Two regular wave-breaking models with air bubble effects were directly employed in the irregular waves and modified to obtain new irregular wave-breaking models. These models can be used to compute the root mean square (RMS) wave height and wave set-up based on the conservation laws of energy flux and momentum. Model I was solved analytically for a beach with a plane slope and numerically for a beach with an irregular slope for spilling and plunging breakers, separately. Additionally, model II was solved numerically for both slope types and breaking conditions. The modified models were calibrated and validated using a large amount of experimental data and a broad range of trial situations. These conditions included large-scale, small-scale, and field experiments. Finally, it was discovered that the modified models had excellent accuracy in computing the wave heights and set-ups. In terms of accuracy, Model I outperformed Model II for the computation of the RMS wave height and set-up of wave breakers in irregular waves.