Laboratory scale experiments with water surface waves

Bedard, Robert J. A.

Abstract

The thesis presents the development, implementation and results of two series of experiments, at large and small scale, for the study of surface gravity waves. A number of measurement techniques are developed and implemented to capture space and time evolution of waves on a water surface in gravity, gravity-capillary and capillary ranges with the purpose to study the statistics of wave turbulence in terms of frequency and wave number spectra.

The first series of experiments was conducted in a large wave tank of size 12 m x 6 m x 1.6 m filled with water to a depth of 0.9 m. A wave maker comprised of eight panels is controlled by a computer to generate waves at typically two frequencies; these waves are directed at different angles. Surface elevation of the resulting turbulent wave field is measured via capacitance wire probes and a fluorescent laser technique that is capable of capturing wave profiles at sufficient frame rate to access both wavenumber and frequency statistics. Following the processing of these data a comprehensive set of results describe characteristics of the life cycle of the experiment including the rise of the wave field to its statistically stationary state and the decay of the regime after energy pumped into the system from the wave maker has ceased.

The first series of experiments was conducted in a large wave tank of size 12 m x 6 m x 1.6 m filled with water to a depth of 0.9 m. A wave maker comprised of eight panels is controlled by a computer to generate waves at typically two frequencies; these waves are directed at different angles. Surface elevation of the resulting turbulent wave field is measured via capacitance wire probes and a fluorescent laser technique that is capable of capturing wave profiles at sufficient frame rate to access both wavenumber and frequency statistics. Following the processing of these data a comprehensive set of results describe characteristics of the life cycle of the experiment including the rise of the wave field to its statistically stationary state and the decay of the regime after energy pumped into the system from the wave maker has ceased.

Across both series of experiments the implementation of data acquisition techniques forms a significant contribution to the work undertaken and a comprehensive set of tools for measurement and analysis of data from surface waves is developed.

Citation

Bedard, R. J. A. Laboratory scale experiments with water surface waves. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4214779

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 11, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Engineering
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4214779
• Additional Information: Department of Engineering, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Jul 1, 2013