Growth of surface wind-waves in water of finite depth: A laboratory experiment

This paper reports on laboratory experiment results wind-driven surface waves in finite depth and their comparison with theoretical predictions experimental in-situ studies. We introduce the Miles theory’s extension to case of depth, as well rules transforming expressions formulae commonly used routines, particular important growth rates ones. Wind depend strongly boundary marine layer parameters, namely, aerodynamic roughness length, Charnock constant, drag coefficient. Consequently, this work gives detailed measurements these parameters depths. Experiments conducted IRPHÉ/Pythéas wind-wave tank (Marseille, France), reveal that for a given wind speed, values are higher than deep water. In limit fully developed surface, due empirical formulas relating critical wave age non-dimensional have been experimentally verified. Plots peak frequency, energy, inverse age, against presented. The plots clearly show quantities admit influence. All data obey range established field experiments. Experimental data, obtained facility, agree family depth-dependent rate function depth. growth-rate our laboratory, consistent theory (Montalvo et al., 2013a,b, Latifi al.. 2017), from other laboratories.