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Wave reflection and transmission by steps and rectangular obstacles in channels of finite depth

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Abstract

Relatively simple analytical solutions are obtained for the reflection and transmission of surface waves by steps and by surface obstacles of rectangular cross-section in channels of finite depth. The analysis employs the linearized version of a recent approximate nonlinear theory of wave propagation in waters of finite depth (Green and Naghdi, 1986, 1987), which incorporates the possibility of one or more discontinuities (say, in waveheight). Whenever possible, the predictions of the theory are compared extensively with previous experimental, analytical, and numerical results. In addition, the results of a new experimental investigation (conducted at Berkeley) of wave reflection from rectangular surface obstacles of various widths and depths are reported and are compared with the theoretical predictions.

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Communicated by M.Y. Hussaini

The results reported here were obtained in the course of research supported by the U.S. Office of Naval Research under Contract N00014-86-K-0057, Work Unit 4322534 with the University of California, Berkeley.

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Marshall, J.S., Naghdi, P.M. Wave reflection and transmission by steps and rectangular obstacles in channels of finite depth. Theoret. Comput. Fluid Dynamics 1, 287–301 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271583

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