On the Interaction of Water Waves With a Surface-Parallel Vortex

Abstract

An experimental study was performed to investigate the interaction of water waves with a surface-parallel oriented vortex at a free surface. Shadowgraph images were obtained visualizing surface deformations. The role of vortex strength and the direction of approach of the waves were investigated. For favorable waves, with flow velocity at crests parallel to vortex flow, surface deformations were weaker, lasted longer than for a vortex without waves, and were characterized at late times by the appearance of surface-normal vortices. For unfavorable waves incident on the vortex from the other side, surface deformations were stronger and dissipated more quickly.