Shoaling surface waves create turbulent shear flows at the sea-bed and thereby contribute to wave energy dissipation in the bottom boundary layer. Turbulent boundary layers are examined using a high-resolution time-dependent three-dimensional numerical model. Simulations estimate the wave energy dissipation in the boundary layer. Results indicate that turbulence levels are coupled to the wave cycle; accelerating flow organizes the boundary layer structure, decelerating flow destabilizes it and flow reversal induces the strongest turbulent bursts. Details of the flow are functions of the Reynolds number, wave frequency, wave complexity, presence of a mean current, and the flow history of the preceding wave period. Mean flow properties are compared between the three-dimensional model and one-dimensional eddy-viscosity based models. Generally, features of the boundary layer are satisfactorily approximated by the eddy-viscosity models, with accuracy depending on the wave amplitude, period, phase, and other forcing conditions.
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