Abstract
A technique for simulating an infinitely long beach in the laboratory is introduced, with the objective of eliminating end effects usually present with short straight beach sections. The technique involves the spiral wavemaker generating waves in the center of a circular basin. The wavemaker, consisting of a vertical right-circular cylinder oscillating in a small circle about its axis, is described in detail. Theoretical developments, using small-amplitude wave assumptions, show that the surface wave crests generated by the wavemaker may be described, at a particular time, as an Archimedian-type of spiral, with the wavemaker at its origin. Also, the crests impinge on the circular beach everywhere at the same angle of incidence. Experiments with a prototype spiral wavemaker verify the theory, with close results for shallow water waves. Littoral drift applications of the wavemaker are given.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Proceedings of the 13th Coastal Engineering Conference 1972 |
| Publisher | American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) |
| Pages | 689-705 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780872620490 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1973 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 13th International Conference on Coastal Engineering 1972 - Vancouver, Canada Duration: Jul 10 1972 → Jul 14 1972 |
Publication series
| Name | Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering Conference |
|---|---|
| Volume | 1972-July |
| ISSN (Print) | 0161-3782 |
Conference
| Conference | 13th International Conference on Coastal Engineering 1972 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Vancouver |
| Period | 7/10/72 → 7/14/72 |
Funding
This work was sponsored, in part, by the NOAA Office of Sea Grant, Department of Commerce, under Grant No. SGP 2-38.
Keywords
- Littoral drift
- Wave generation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Oceanography