Spectral distribution of energy dissipation of wind-generated waves due to dominant wave breaking

Abstract

This paper considers an experimental attempt to estimate the spectral distribution of the dissipation due to breaking of dominant waves. A field wave record with an approximately 50% dominant-breaking rate was analyzed. Segments of the record, comprising sequences of breaking waves, were used to obtain the "breaking spectrum," and segments of nonbreaking waves were used to obtain the "nonbreaking spectrum." The clear visible difference between the two spectra was attributed to the dissipation due to breaking. This assumption was supported by independent measurements of total dissipation of kinetic energy in the water column at the measurement location. It is shown that the dominant breaking causes energy dissipation throughout the entire spectrum at scales smaller than the spectral peak waves. The dissipation rate at each frequency is linear in terms of the wave spectral density at that frequency, with a correction for the directional spectral width. A formulation for the spectral dissipation function able to accommodate this effect is suggested. Directional spectra of the breaking and nonbreaking waves are also considered. It is shown that directional dissipation rates at oblique angles are higher than the dissipation in the main wave propagation direction. © 2006 American Meteorological Society.