Surface wave generation in the process of finite deformation of the bottom of a basin

Abstract

The process of generation of three-dimensional irrotational fluid motions induced by small local finite-duration displacements of part of the bottom of a basin is considered within the framework of wave linear theory for a basin of constant depth. The solution of the problem and an expression for the total wave field energy are obtained using integral transforms. The general properties of the process of unsteady wave generation induced by short-term and slow deformations of the bottom are analyzed. Within the framework of the piston generation model the energy characteristics of axisymmetric waves are compared for two time laws of bottom deformation of identical duration. In general, it is shown that under certain conditions the nature and intensity of the wave process depend on both the time law and the duration of the deformation process.