Next Generation Modeling for Deep Water Wave Breaking and Langmuir Circulation

摘要

The long-range goal is to improve our ability to understand and predict surface waves, wave breaking, and the transfer of momentum between the atmosphere and ocean. The objectives of our research are to use two free-surface, three-dimensional, turbulent, computational fluid dynamics models to investigate and quantify the interaction between surface waves and upper ocean turbulence. The models are to be tested in comparison with equivalent laboratory experiments conducted in the ASIST (Air-Sea Interaction Salt-Water Tank) facility at RSMAS of wave energy dissipation and momentum flux. A suite of non-intrusive techniques including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser elevation gauges (LEG), an Imaging Slope Gauge (ISG) and infrared imagery are to be used. Specific objectives include quantifying the exchange of wave momentum into average currents via breaking, quantifying the vertical distribution of momentum flux, and determining the influence of pressure forces on the surface.