Ryu, Yong Uk (2009-06). Extreme wave impinging and overtopping. Doctoral Dissertation. Thesis uri icon

abstract

  • This investigates the velocity fields of a plunging breaking wave impinging on a structure through measurements in a two-dimensional wave tank. As the wave breaks and overtops the structure, so-called green water is generated. The flow becomes multi-phased and chaotic as a highly aerated region is formed in the flow in the vicinity of the structure while water runs up onto the structure. In this study, particle image velocimetry (PIV) was employed to measure the velocity field of the water dominant region. For measurements of an aerated region that cannot be measured by PIV, a new measurement method called bubble image velocimetry (BIV) was developed. The principle and setup of the BIV method were introduced and validated. Mean and turbulence properties were obtained through ensemble averaging repeated tests measured by both methods. The dominant and maximum velocity of the breaking wave and associated green water are discussed for the three distinct phases of the impingement-runup-overtopping sequence. The distribution of the green water velocity along the top of the structure has a nonlinear profile and the maximum velocity occurs near the front of the fast moving water. Using the measured data and applying dimensional analysis, a similarity profile for the green water flow on top of the structure was obtained, and a prediction equation was formulated. The dam breaking solution used for the green water prediction was examined with determining initial water depth based on the experiment conditions. Comparison between measurements, the prediction equation, and the dam breaking flow was made. The prediction equation and the dam break flow with appropriate initial water depth may be used to predict the green water velocity caused by extreme waves in a hurricane. To demonstrate the aeration of the breaking wave and overtopping water, void fraction was also investigated. There is strong aeration in the region of overtopping water front generated by a plunging breaker. Void fraction of overtopping water was measured using a fiber optic reflectometer (FOR). The measured velocity and void fraction were also used to estimate flow rate and water volume of overtopping water.

publication date

  • June 2009