PHASE AVERAGING MODEL FOR MULTI-DIRECTIONAL RANDOM WAVE TRANSFORMATION BY HIGH ORDER UPWIND DIFFERENCE SCHEME

Abstract

A numerical model, based on an energy balance equation with wave breaking and diffraction effects, is proposed to predict the transformation of multi-directional random waves over a varying bathymetry. In the numerical model, a high-order difference scheme called QUICK is employed to suppress numerical diffusions. The numerical predictions were compared with the theoretical predictions of wave heights behind breakwaters and with experimental results of wave transformations due to a circular shoal conducted by Chawla et al. (1998). The comparison showed that the numerical model performs well as a whole, except a poor reproduction of abrupt decrease in the wave height due to breaking and subsequent increase near the top of the shoal.