EFFECT OF STEEPNESS OF REGULAR AND IRREGULAR WAVES ON AN OIL CONTAINMENT BOOM

The article describes a study conducted to find the effectiveness of an oil containing boom in waves. Tests were run in a wave tank, offshore, and with a scale model. An attempt to mathematically model the response of the boom to waves failed. It is possible to predict the motion of the boom but not to determine the conditions for wave splashover. Splashover hinders containment of oil. What is now known is that splashover is dependent on the wave steepness (height divided by wavelength). The equations describing motion are listed in the article, which also states that in regular waves the steepness must be greater than or equal to .08 and the wave height greater than or equal to the boom freeboard for splashdown failure to occur. The wave height is the same for irregular waves, but the steepness can be as low as .05.

• Corporate Authors:

  Society of Petroleum Engineers

  6200 North Central Expressway
  Dallas, TX  United States  75206
• Authors:
  • Walker Jr, G E
• Publication Date: 1970-8

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 1007-13
• Serial:
  • Journal of Petroleum Technology
  • Publisher: Society of Petroleum Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Oil booms; Overtopping; Wave height; Waves
• Old TRIS Terms: Irregular waves; Oil containment
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00037096
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 10 1972 12:00AM