Year

2018

Season

Spring

Paper Type

Master's Thesis

College

College of Computing, Engineering & Construction

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Engineering

NACO controlled Corporate Body

University of North Florida. School of Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Don Resio

Second Advisor

Dr. William Dally

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Third Advisor

Dr. Thobias Sando

Department Chair

Dr. Don Resio

College Dean

Dr. Mark A. Tumeo

Abstract

Nonlinear wave-wave interactions and wave breaking contribute to nearshore wave energy dissipation. These factors can be analyzed by the principles of wave self-similarity. The equilibrium range can be shown in wind-driven wave spectra that exist in the form ( ) and However, the appropriate methods used to determine this loss of energy are controversial. This study examines an approach that reinvestigates the self-similarity principles. Wave spectra with lower peak periods are dominated by nonlinear wave-wave interactions which produce a scaling in shallow water. This thesis investigates the relative role of spectral similarity in different conditions in the nearshore region of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, North Carolina. The results show young sea waves (wave spectra in which the propagation speed of waves at the spectral peak is much smaller than the wind speed) are dominated by nonlinear wave-wave interactions in the nearshore while older waves (wave spectra in which the propagation speed of waves at the spectral peak is equal to or greater than the wind speed) are dominated by wave breaking in deep water. Furthermore, nearshore wave models need to incorporate the self-similarity concept in deep and shallow water to better understand and quantify important aspects of wave physics in shallow water.

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