Virtual Test Bed for Evaluating Wave Prediction Technology

Abstract

Abstract : This contract supports a part of a larger program of applied research whose ultimate goal is to significantly improve our ability to predict ocean waves in deep and shallow water environments. That larger program is organized under ONR's Advanced Wave Prediction Program. The specific part of that program of which our effort is a part addresses the development of a virtual test bed for evaluating wave prediction technology. This test bed project responds to the fact that there have been no significant advances in operational wave modeling and prediction since the introduction of the WAM model over a decade ago. The test bed is intended to stimulate scientists to systematically investigate, implement and test more advanced algorithms (source terms) which simulate wave growth, interaction and dissipative processes in deep and shallow water wave prediction models and to provide a rational objective framework to evaluate the efficacy of model enhancements. This test bed program is a coordinated collaborative effort between scientists at Oceanweather Inc., the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (WES) Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC) , and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).