Spectral width parameter for wind-generated ocean waves

Abstract

An evaluation of the spectral width parameter for wind-generated ocean waves is presented based on the analysis of wave data obtained through the ship-borne wave recorder fitted to RV Gaveshani. The coverage of wave data includes deep as well as shallow waters on the east and west coasts of India. Considering that the spectral width parameter e{open}0 derived from Tucker's wave analysis provides a reasonably accurate estimate, a comparative study has been made for the other band-width definitions available in the literature. The results indicate some bias in the estimation of spectral width information using higher-order moments, e.g. e{open}S and v, and with the alteration of spectral forms that are usually associated with multiple- or single-peaked wave spectra. Such a bias is not seen in the case of Goda's peakedness parameter Qp with variation of spectral form. The effect of the ratio of the high-frequency cut-off to the spectral peak period on e{open}S, v and Qp is also investigated. © 1988 Indian Academy of Sciences.