Wave direction computations with three gage arrays.

Abstract

The results of directional computations both for simulated and field wave data records indicate three-gage arrays have some capability to determine wave direction under certain conditions. This capability depends on: (i) the dimension of the array and the water depth at the site which place a lower limit on the wave period for which possibly accurate directions may be computed; (ii) the orientation of the array for the shorter periods; (iii) the nature of the wave field; directional results for wave trains with a narrow frequency distribution and/or for which the computed directions differ little at adjacent spectral periods might be meaningful. For wave trains with narrow frequency and directional spreads; and period above 10 seconds, the Pt. Mugu arrays yield directions to an estimated accuracy of 20SUP. (from paper)