THE INFLUENCES OF WIND DRIFT AND CAPILLARITY ON BLOCKAGE

The surface drift in the upper few centimeters of the ocean surface, produced by wind shear, is shown to modify substantially the propagation speed and energy flux of short surface waves. Two simple models are used to estimate the magnitude of the effect, a two-layer model described by G. I. Taylor and one in which the surface drift is a decaying exponential. When the waves encounter a moving current pattern of the type that would otherwise lead to blockage, the wind drift, augmenting the energy flux of the short waves, is shown to delay or prevent blockage. The modifications introduced by capillary effects in short gravity waves are also examined; surface tension provides an additional delay to possible blockage, but in cases of interest the modification is much less significant. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Hydronautics, Incorporated

  7210 Pindel School Road
  Laurel, MD  United States  20810
• Authors:
  • Phillips, O M
• Publication Date: 1973-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 28 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air water interfaces; Equations of motion; Gravity waves; Hydrodynamics; Internal waves; Mathematical models; Ocean currents; Ocean waves; Oceans; Rayleigh waves; Texture; Waveform analysis; Wind; Wind waves
• Old TRIS Terms: Air water interactions; Ocean surface; Surface wave response
• Subject Areas: Design; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00051180
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: TR-7211-1 Tech Rpt
• Contract Numbers: N00014-72-C-0509
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1974 12:00AM