On the Oscillatory Flow in Turbulent Boundary Layers Induced by Water Waves

Abstract

A method is presented for calculating various characteristics of the turbulent boundary layers developed on both smooth and rough bottoms by waves. The profiles of velocities and the mass transport velocities in the oscillating turbulent boundary layer are derived theoretically on the basis of a physically meaningful assumption of an eddy viscosity, and the numerical results are compared with existing experimental data which have been done by others. In addition, the analytical data on the oscillatory flow near the bottom are applied to a theoretical description of some of the problems of sediment movement such as determination of the predominant direction of sediment transport due to waves.