VORTICES AND FLOW STRUCTURES UNDER PLANAR FOCUSING WAVE BREAKERS

Abstract

 In this study, numerical computations of planar focussing short-crested wave breaking have been performed. Evolution of the surface forms and vortex structures produced in breaking waves depending on the wave period and crossing angles, are characterized in comparison with those observed in the previous long-crested wave breaking. An organized rib structures of vortices with counter-rotating vorticity, were found to be produced at the crossing location which literally extend in divergent wave crests. Spatial oscillations of the wave height observed in the crossing wave field, were also investigated through spatio-temporal spectrum analysis in this paper.