Abstract
Field measurements are presented of the mean, turbulent, and wave-induced velocities near the sea bed in combined wave-plus-current flow, with which to test theories of wave-current interaction. A technique of splitting the variance within the velocity spectrum was developed to separate wave orbital velocities from turbulent fluctuations, which were often as large as the orbital velocities. The wave boundary layer was much thinner than the lowest measuring height (10cm) and acted as a source of turbulence to the current boundary layer, analogous to an increased apparent bed roughness. This caused both the turbulent kinetic energy and the mean bed shear stress to increase strongly with the wave:current ratio. The results have implications for sediment transport, tidal dynamics, wave dissipation, and forces on pipelines.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bijker, E.W. (1967) ‘Some considerations about scales for coastal models with movable bed’, Publ. No. 50, Delft Hydraulic Lab., Delft, Netherlands, 142 pp.
Davies, A.G., Soulsby, R.L. and King, H.L. (1988) ‘A numerical model of the combined wave and current bottom boundary layer’, J. Geophys. Res. 93 (CI), 491–508.
Dyer, K.R. and Soulsby, R.L. (1988) ‘Sand transport on the continental shelf’, Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech. 20, 295–324.
Fredstfe, J. (1984) ‘Sediment transport in current and waves’, Series Paper 35, Inst. Hydrodynamic and Hydraulic Eng., Tech. Univ. Denmark, Lyngby, 37 pp.
Grant, W.D. and Madsen, O.S. (1979) ‘Combined wave and current interaction with a rough bottom’, J. Geophys. Res. 84 (C4), 1797–1808.
Humphery, J.D. (1987) ‘STABLE — an instrument for studying current structure and sediment transport in the benthic boundary layer’, Proc. Electronics for Ocean Technology Conference, Heriot-Watt Univ. Edinburgh, pub. by IERE, London.
Jonsson, I.G. and Carlsen, N.A. (1976) ‘Experimental and theoretical investigations in an oscillatory turbulent boundary layer’, J. Hydraulic Res. 14, 45–60.
Lambrakos, K.F. (1982) ‘Seabed wave boundary layer measurements and analysis’, J. Geophys. Res. 87 (C6), 1471–4189.
Lambrakos, K.F., Myrhaug, D. and Slaattelid, O.H. (1988) ‘Seabed current boundary layers in wave-plus-current flow conditions’, J. Waterway Port Coastal and Ocean Eng 114 (2), 161–174.
Myrhaug, D. and Slaattelid, O.H. (1989) ‘Combined wave and current boundary layer model for fixed rough seabeds’, Ocean Eng. 16 (2), 119–142.
Soulsby, R.L. (1980) ‘Selecting record length and digitization rate for near-bed turbulence measurements’, J. Physical Oceanog. 10 (2), 208–219.
Soulsby, R.L. (1983) ‘The bottom boundary layer of shelf seas’, in B. Johns (ed.), Physical Oceanography of Coastal and Shelf Seas, Elsevier Science Pub., Amsterdam, pp 189–266.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publisher
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Soulsby, R.L., Humphery, J.D. (1990). Field Observations of Wave-Current Interaction at the Sea Bed. In: Tørum, A., Gudmestad, O.T. (eds) Water Wave Kinematics. NATO ASI Series, vol 178. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0531-3_25
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0531-3_25
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-010-6725-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-0531-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive