BOTTOM DISSIPATION IN FINITE-DEPTH WATER WAVES.

Abstract

The dissipation of wave energy by various bottom mechanisms plays an important role in the spectral transformation of waves as they propagate from deep to shallow water. Three bottom dissipation mechanisms are discussed. The bottom friction mechanism is investigated in detail and a method for calculating the friction coefficient is proposed. The method is tested by comparison with field measurements. Dissipation due to percolation and bottom motion are also discussed. The magnitude of dissipation rates induced by the different mechanisms are compared under various wave and bottom conditions.