Irregular Wave Height Transformation Using Representative Wave Approach

Abstract

Many researchers have pointed out that the use of representative wave approach can give erroneous results in the computation of irregular wave height transformation. However, the representative wave approach seems to be an efficient tool incorporated into beach deformation models because of its simplicity and computational efficiency. It will be useful for practical work, if this approach can be used to compute the irregular wave height transformation. Therefore, this study is carried out to investigate the possibility of simulating irregular wave height transformation by using representative wave approach. A large amount and wide range of experimental conditions, covering small-scale, large-scale, and field experimental conditions, are used to calibrate and examine the model. The rms wave height transformation is computed from the energy flux conservation law. Various energy dissipation models of regular wave breaking are directly applied to the irregular wave model and test their applicability. Surprisingly, it is found that by using an appropriate energy dissipation model with new coefficients, the representative wave approach can be used to compute the rms wave height transformation with very good accuracy.