An analytical model of the wave-induced longshore current is derived. A unique feature of the model is an empirical power law expression, developed in this study, employed to describe the broken wave height in the surf zone. The model also includes the effect of wave setup, finite incident wave angle, and lateral mixing. The power law expression represents the surf zone wave height decay significantly better than the linear decay profile assumed in previous longshore current models. The exponent in the power law expression is determined to be a function of the beach slope and the wave height to water depth ratio at wave breaking. The longshore current model is derived by balancing the longshore stresses: local wave stress, lateral mixing stress, and bottom friction stress. The solution for the longshore current distribution is an infinite power series which is truncated to second order. The model gives the longshore current as a function of distance offshore, breaking wave conditions (height, depth, and angle), beach slope.
An Analytical Model of Wave-Induced Longshore Current Based on Power Law Wave Height Decay
Miscellaneous Paper ; CERC-88-3
1988
3309708
Report
Electronic Resource
English
Compilation of Longshore Current Data
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