scholarly journals Impact of Dominant Breaking Waves on Air–Sea Momentum Exchange and Boundary Layer Turbulence at High Winds

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 1195-1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Tetsu Hara ◽  
Peter P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Subgrid Scale ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Boundary Layer Turbulence ◽  
Wake Turbulence ◽  
Ocean Conditions ◽  
High Winds

Abstract Large-eddy simulation (LES) is used to investigate how dominant breaking waves in the ocean under hurricane-force winds affect the drag and near-surface airflow turbulence. The LES explicitly resolves the wake turbulence produced by dominant-scale breakers. Effects of unresolved roughness such as short breakers, nonbreaking waves, and sea foam are modeled as the subgrid-scale drag. Compared to the laboratory conditions previously studied using the same method, dominant-scale breakers in open-ocean conditions are less frequent, and the subgrid-scale drag is more significant. Nevertheless, dominant-scale breakers are more fully exposed to high winds and produce more intense wakes individually. As a result, they support a large portion of the total drag and significantly influence the turbulence for many ocean conditions that are likely to occur. The intense wake turbulence is characterized by flow separation, upward bursts of wind, and upward flux of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), all of which may influence sea spray dispersion. Similarly to the findings in the laboratory conditions, high production of wake turbulence shortcuts the inertial energy cascade, causes high TKE dissipation, and contributes to the reduction of the drag coefficient. The results also indicate that if the drag coefficient decreases with increasing wind at very high winds, as some recent observations suggest, then the unresolved roughness must also decrease.

scholarly journals Impact of Breaking Wave Form Drag on Near-Surface Turbulence and Drag Coefficient over Young Seas at High Winds

2013 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 324-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nobuhiro Suzuki ◽  
Tetsu Hara ◽  
Peter P. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Wave Form ◽  
Breaking Wave ◽  
Transient Wave ◽  
Form Drag ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Wake Turbulence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
High Winds

Abstract The effects of breaking waves on near-surface wind turbulence and drag coefficient are investigated using large-eddy simulation. The impact of intermittent and transient wave breaking events (over a range of scales) is modeled as localized form drag, which generates airflow separation bubbles downstream. The simulations are performed for very young sea conditions under high winds, comparable to previous laboratory experiments in hurricane-strength winds. The results for the drag coefficient in high winds range between about 0.002 and 0.003. In such conditions more than 90% of the total air–sea momentum flux is due to the form drag of breakers; that is, the contributions of the nonbreaking wave form drag and the surface viscous stress are small. Detailed analysis shows that the breaker form drag impedes the shear production of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) near the surface and, instead, produces a large amount of small-scale wake turbulence by transferring energy from large-scale motions (such as mean wind and gusts). This process shortcuts the inertial energy cascade and results in large TKE dissipation (integrated over the surface layer) normalized by friction velocity cubed. Consequently, the large production of wake turbulence by breakers in high winds results in the small drag coefficient obtained in this study. The results also suggest that common parameterizations for the mean wind profile and the TKE dissipation inside the wave boundary layer, used in previous Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes models, may not be valid.

scholarly journals Effects of Wave Breaking on the Near-Surface Profiles of Velocity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy

2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 490-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Melsom ◽  
Øyvind SÆtra
Keyword(s):  
Surface Stress ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Surface Region ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Stokes Drift ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
The Mean

Abstract A theoretical model for the near-surface velocity profile in the presence of breaking waves is presented. Momentum is accumulated by growing waves and is released upon wave breaking. In effect, such a transition is a process involving a time-dependent surface stress acting on the mean current. In this paper, conventional theory for the Stokes drift is expanded to fourth-order accuracy in wave steepness. It is shown that the higher-order terms lead to an enhancement of the surface Stokes drift and a slight retardation of the Stokes volume flux. Furthermore, the results from the wave theory are used to obtain a bulk parameterization of momentum exchange during the process of wave breaking. The mean currents are then obtained by application of a variation of the “level 2.5” turbulence closure theory of Mellor and Yamada. When compared with the traditional approach of a constant surface stress, the mean Eulerian current exhibits a weak enhancement in the near-surface region, compensated by a negative shift deeper in the water column. However, it is found that the results of Craig and Banner and the results of Craig are not significantly affected by the present theory. Hence, this study helps to explain why the Craig and Banner model agrees well with observations when a realistic, time-varying surface stress acts on the drift currents.

scholarly journals Air–Sea Enthalpy and Momentum Exchange at Major Hurricane Wind Speeds Observed during CBLAST

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 3197-3222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Bell ◽  
Michael T. Montgomery ◽  
Kerry A. Emanuel
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Cyclone Intensity ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Hurricane Wind ◽  
Flux Measurements ◽  
Major Hurricane

Abstract Quantifying air–sea exchanges of enthalpy and momentum is important for understanding and skillfully predicting tropical cyclone intensity, but the magnitude of the corresponding wind speed–dependent bulk exchange coefficients is largely unknown at major hurricane wind speeds greater than 50 m s−1. Since direct turbulent flux measurements in these conditions are extremely difficult, the momentum and enthalpy fluxes were deduced via absolute angular momentum and total energy budgets. An error analysis of the methodology was performed to quantify and mitigate potentially significant uncertainties resulting from unresolved budget terms and observational errors. An analysis of six missions from the 2003 Coupled Boundary Layers Air–Sea Transfer (CBLAST) field program in major hurricanes Fabian and Isabel was conducted using a new variational technique. The analysis indicates a near-surface mean drag coefficient CD of 2.4 × 10−3 with a 46% standard deviation and a mean enthalpy coefficient CK of 1.0 × 10−3 with a 40% standard deviation for wind speeds between 52 and 72 m s−1. These are the first known estimates of CK and the ratio of enthalpy to drag coefficient CK/CD in major hurricanes. The results suggest that there is no significant change in the magnitude of the bulk exchange coefficients estimated at minimal hurricane wind speeds, and that the ratio CK/CD does not significantly increase for wind speeds greater than 50 m s−1.

Potential low bias in high-wind drag coefficient inferred from dropsonde data in hurricanes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Richter ◽  
Charlotte Wainwright ◽  
Daniel P. Stern ◽  
George H. Bryan ◽  
Daniel Chavas
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Similarity Theory ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Profile Method ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
Flux Profile ◽  
Logarithmic Layer ◽  
High Winds

AbstractUnderstanding momentum exchange at the air-sea interface is important for accurate hurricane predictions and understanding fundamental storm dynamics. One method for estimating air-sea momentum transfer in high winds is the flux-profile method, which infers surface momentum fluxes and the corresponding drag coefficient from mean velocity profiles obtained from either dropsondes or meteorological towers, under the assumption that the boundary-layer wind profile at low altitudes exhibits a logarithmic profile with height. In this study, we use dropsonde data from reconnaissance aircraft, as well as “virtual sondes” from a turbulence-resolving simulation of an intense tropical cyclone, to critically analyze the diagnosis of drag coefficient CD at hurricane-force wind speeds. In particular, the “roll-off” of the drag coefficient, where CD decreases at 10-m wind speeds ¿ 35 m s−1, is called into question based on uncertainty due to relatively low sample size and a lack of robustness of the flux-profile at high winds. In addition, multiple factors appear to favor an underestimate of CD at hurricane-force winds relative to their true values, including uncertainty in the height of recorded dropsonde data, violation of Monin-Obukhov similarity theory near the eyewall, and the short vertical extent of the logarithmic layer. Due to these and other related sources of uncertainty, it is likely that a quantitative limit has been reached in inferring the specific values of u* and CD using the flux-profile method, while at the same time the potential for underestimation may cast doubt on the CD–U10 relationship inferred from this method at high winds.

scholarly journals The Effect of Foam on Waves and the Aerodynamic Roughness of the Water Surface at High Winds

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 959-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu. Troitskaya ◽  
D. Sergeev ◽  
A. Kandaurov ◽  
M. Vdovin ◽  
S. Zilitinkevich
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Wind Speed ◽  
Atmospheric Boundary Layer ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Surface Waves ◽  
Water Surface ◽  
Eddy Viscosity ◽  
Surface Drag ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
High Winds

AbstractThis paper models the impact of the presence of foam on the short-wave component of surface waves and momentum exchange in the atmospheric boundary layer at high winds. First, physical experiments were carried out in a wind-wave flume in which foam can be artificially produced at the water surface. Tests were conducted under high-wind-speed conditions where equivalent 10-m wind speed ranged from 12 to 38 m s−1, with measurements made of the airflow parameters, the frequency–wavenumber spectra of the surface waves, the foam coverage of the water surface, and the distribution of the foam bubbles. Analysis of the resulting data indicates that the surface drag coefficient correlates with the fraction of foam coverage and the mean square slope (MSS) of the water surface, and that, at a certain wind speed, the MSS decreases with an increase in the fraction of foam coverage. Based on these results, we suggest a simple model for eddy viscosity in the turbulent boundary layer over a fractionally foam-covered wave surface. The measurements in a laboratory environment are shown to be in good agreement with the predictions of a quasi-linear model of the atmospheric boundary layer over a waved water surface that adopts this eddy viscosity. Adaptation of the proposed model to field conditions is discussed, and the synergetic effect of foam at the water surface and spray in the marine atmospheric boundary layer on ocean surface resistance at high winds is estimated so as to be able to explain the observed peaking dependence of the surface drag coefficient on the 10-m wind speed.

Bulk drag coefficient of a subaquatic vegetation subjected to irregular waves: Influence of Reynolds and Keulegan-Carpenter numbers

2020 ◽  
pp. 34-42
Author(s):  
Thibault Chastel ◽  
Kevin Botten ◽  
Nathalie Durand ◽  
Nicole Goutal
Keyword(s):  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Wave Height ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Flume Experiments ◽  
Seagrass Meadows ◽  
Artificial Vegetation

Seagrass meadows are essential for protection of coastal erosion by damping wave and stabilizing the seabed. Seagrass are considered as a source of water resistance which modifies strongly the wave dynamics. As a part of EDF R & D seagrass restoration project in the Berre lagoon, we quantify the wave attenuation due to artificial vegetation distributed in a flume. Experiments have been conducted at Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory wave flume (Chatou, France). We measure the wave damping with 13 resistive waves gauges along a distance L = 22.5 m for the “low” density and L = 12.15 m for the “high” density of vegetation mimics. A JONSWAP spectrum is used for the generation of irregular waves with significant wave height Hs ranging from 0.10 to 0.23 m and peak period Tp ranging from 1 to 3 s. Artificial vegetation is a model of Posidonia oceanica seagrass species represented by slightly flexible polypropylene shoots with 8 artificial leaves of 0.28 and 0.16 m height. Different hydrodynamics conditions (Hs, Tp, water depth hw) and geometrical parameters (submergence ratio α, shoot density N) have been tested to see their influence on wave attenuation. For a high submergence ratio (typically 0.7), the wave attenuation can reach 67% of the incident wave height whereas for a low submergence ratio (< 0.2) the wave attenuation is negligible. From each experiment, a bulk drag coefficient has been extracted following the energy dissipation model for irregular non-breaking waves developed by Mendez and Losada (2004). This model, based on the assumption that the energy loss over the species meadow is essentially due to the drag force, takes into account both wave and vegetation parameter. Finally, we found an empirical relationship for Cd depending on 2 dimensionless parameters: the Reynolds and Keulegan-Carpenter numbers. These relationships are compared with other similar studies.

Genetic Programming based Drag Model with Improved Prediction Accuracy for Fluidization Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Sonolikar ◽  
M. P. Patil ◽  
R. B. Mankar ◽  
S. S. Tambe ◽  
B. D. Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Genetic Programming ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Prediction Accuracy ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Solid Volume Fraction ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Momentum Exchange ◽  
Drag Model ◽  
Parameter Ranges

Abstract The drag coefficient plays a vital role in the modeling of gas-solid flows. Its knowledge is essential for understanding the momentum exchange between the gas and solid phases of a fluidization system, and correctly predicting the related hydrodynamics. There exists a number of models for predicting the magnitude of the drag coefficient. However, their major limitation is that they predict widely differing drag coefficient values over same parameter ranges. The parameter ranges over which models possess a good drag prediction accuracy are also not specified explicitly. Accordingly, the present investigation employs Geldart’s group B particles fluidization data from various studies covering wide ranges of Re and εs to propose a new unified drag coefficient model. A novel artificial intelligence based formalism namely genetic programming (GP) has been used to obtain this model. It is developed using the pressure drop approach, and its performance has been assessed rigorously for predicting the bed height, pressure drop, and solid volume fraction at different magnitudes of Reynolds number, by simulating a 3D bubbling fluidized bed. The new drag model has been found to possess better prediction accuracy and applicability over a much wider range of Re and εs than a number of existing models. Owing to the superior performance of the new drag model, it has a potential to gainfully replace the existing drag models in predicting the hydrodynamic behavior of fluidized beds.

scholarly journals Field Measurements of Surface and Near-Surface Turbulence in the Presence of Breaking Waves

2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 943-965 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Sutherland ◽  
W. Kendall Melville
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
North Pacific Ocean ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Breaking Waves ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Wave Energy Dissipation ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
The North

AbstractWave breaking removes energy from the surface wave field and injects it into the upper ocean, where it is dissipated by viscosity. This paper presents an investigation of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation beneath breaking waves. Wind, wave, and turbulence data were collected in the North Pacific Ocean aboard R/P FLIP, during the ONR-sponsored High Resolution Air-Sea Interaction (HiRes) and Radiance in a Dynamic Ocean (RaDyO) experiments. A new method for measuring TKE dissipation at the sea surface was combined with subsurface measurements to allow estimation of TKE dissipation over the entire wave-affected surface layer. Near the surface, dissipation decayed with depth as z−1, and below approximately one significant wave height, it decayed more quickly, approaching z−2. High levels of TKE dissipation very near the sea surface were consistent with the large fraction of wave energy dissipation attributed to non-air-entraining microbreakers. Comparison of measured profiles with large-eddy simulation results in the literature suggests that dissipation is concentrated closer to the surface than previously expected, largely because the simulations did not resolve microbreaking. Total integrated dissipation in the water column agreed well with dissipation by breaking for young waves, (where cm is the mean wave frequency and is the atmospheric friction velocity), implying that breaking was the dominant source of turbulence in those conditions. The results of these extensive measurements of near-surface dissipation over three field experiments are discussed in the context of observations and ocean boundary layer modeling efforts by other groups.

scholarly journals The Role of Horizontal Divergence in Submesoscale Frontogenesis

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 1593-1618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy Barkan ◽  
M. Jeroen Molemaker ◽  
Kaushik Srinivasan ◽  
James C. McWilliams ◽  
Eric A. D’Asaro
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Analytical Solutions ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Careful Analysis ◽  
Rossby Number ◽  
Asymptotic Model ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Boundary Layer Turbulence ◽  
Oceanic Surface ◽  
Gradient Fields

AbstractOceanic surface submesoscale currents are characterized by anisotropic fronts and filaments with widths from 100 m to a few kilometers; an O(1) Rossby number; and large magnitudes of lateral buoyancy and velocity gradients, cyclonic vorticity, and convergence. We derive an asymptotic model of submeoscale frontogenesis—the rate of sharpening of submesoscale gradients—and show that in contrast with “classical” deformation frontogenesis, the near-surface convergent motions, which are associated with the ageostrophic secondary circulation, determine the gradient sharpening rates. Analytical solutions for the inviscid Lagrangian evolution of the gradient fields in the proposed asymptotic regime are provided, and emphasize the importance of ageostrophic motions in governing frontal evolution. These analytical solutions are further used to derive a scaling relation for the vertical buoyancy fluxes that accompany the gradient sharpening process. Realistic numerical simulations and drifter observations in the northern Gulf of Mexico during winter confirm the applicability of the asymptotic model to strong frontogenesis. Careful analysis of the numerical simulations and field measurements demonstrates that a subtle balance between boundary layer turbulence, pressure, and Coriolis effects (e.g., turbulent thermal wind; Gula et al. 2014) leads to the generation of the surface convergent motions that drive frontogenesis in this region. Because the asymptotic model makes no assumptions about the physical mechanisms that initiate the convergent frontogenetic motions, it is generic for submesoscale frontogenesis of O(1) Rossby number flows.

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