Hybrid Wave Models and Their Applications for Steep Ocean Waves

Abstract

Bound-wave components resulting from inter-actions among free-wave components have significant effects on resultant wave properties, especially in a steep ocean wave field. Hybrid Wave Models (HWM) distinguish the bound-wave from free-wave components in the decomposition of an irregular wave field as well as the prediction of its resultant proper-ties. To ensure the convergence, the HWMs selectively use the conventional and phase modulation approaches to address the nonlinear interactions between-free-wave components of different frequency ratios. The models are able to predict resultant wave properties accurately and deterministically based on the time-series measurements at fixed points. Four examples of their applications to the prediction of wave properties and wave-structure interactions are presented, which demonstrate the usefulness of HWMs to the studies of ocean surface waves.