Random wave-induced current in shallow water using deep-water wind and wave statistics

Abstract

This paper addresses the random wave-induced current in shallow water based on deep-water wind and wave statistics, where the wave-induced current is expressed in terms of the deep-water seastate wave parameters, significant wave height and mean zero-crossing wave period. The average statistical properties of the random wave-induced current in shallow water expressed in terms of the mean value and the standard deviation are presented. The results are exemplified by using long-term wind statistics from the northern North Sea and long-term wave statistics from the same ocean area. Overall, it appears that there is an agreement between the results based on these inputs from wind and wave statistics. The presented analytical method should be useful for making preliminary estimates of the random wave-induced drift in shallow water within seastates using either available deep-water wind statistics or deep-water wave statistics, which enhances the possibilities for assessing further the wave-induced current in, for example, near-coastal zones.