Suppression of Wind Waves in the Presence of Swell: A Physical Modeling Study

Abstract Laboratory measurements of the interaction between high‐frequency (HF) wind‐waves and low frequency (LF) paddle waves are presented. The were made in a wind‐wave flume with wind propagating same direction. primary objective is to examine physical mechanisms proposed explain suppression due presence swell (here waves). For this purpose, precise time scale temporal transition from wind‐only wind‐plus‐paddle conditions examined. results reveal that majority occurs too quickly have been caused by reduced wind‐input, instead indicating enhanced HF wave dissipation mechanism. spatial variation energy along LF phase indicates mainly on crest, high windward face, which locations experience highest velocities. This observation also suggests wind‐input not Quantification versus broad range velocities, fetch did any critical dependence breaking or separation at crests. It concluded primarily near mechanism be coupled velocity, where an increased velocity crests exceeds level forcing C / u * can withstand without breaking.