Wind-induced Stresses on Water Surfaces: A Wind-tunnel Study

Abstract

A laboratory wind tunnel has been used to study the effect of wind on a water surface. The surface shearing stress 7'0 and the slope of the surface induced by wind have been measured. Values of the surface stress, in good agreement with each other, have been obtained from: (a) the velocity profile of the wind above the water surface, (b) the measured values of surface slope or set-up, and (c) the spreading characteristics of surface films. The drag coefficient, Cn = TO/ pu2n, was found to be constant for wind speeds up to about 412 cm/s and then to rise gradually for higher wind speeds.