Mean Velocity Changes due to Interaction between Bichromatic Waves and a Current

Abstract

This investigation deals with the changes in the mean velocity associated with a bichromatic wave train in a steady current. The Eulerian-mean velocity model originally developed for monochromatic waves is applied to the calculation of the mean horizontal velocity for bichromatic waves. Instantaneous two-dimensional velocity components for waves following or opposing a current were measured to examine the turbulent intensities and wave-current Reynolds stress. The experimental data suggest that wave direction is an important factor to change the vertical profile of mean velocity based on the logarithmic law. The predicted shape of the mean velocity shows quantitative agreement in the whole depth with the experimental data for various conditions such as irregular waves.