An Offshore Island Wave Sheltering Model

by Andrew L. Kadib, (M.ASCE), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Ocean Wave Measurement and Analysis

Abstract:

The wave climate along Southern California Coastal area is greatly modified by the existing systems of natural islands shown. As deep water wave approach the nearshore area, they generally experience changes in height and direction resulting from refraction and shoaling. Wave heights are further modified by the sheltering effect of these islands. This paper presents the development, verification and application of a model which quantifies the wave height reduction as caused by the offshore islands. An Island Wave Sheltering Coefficient (K_is) was developed. The coefficient (K_is) was found to be a function of a dimensionless number describing the wave period, islands geometry and deep water wave direction.

Subject Headings: Water waves | Wave shoaling | Islands | Wave climates | Wave height | Wave diffraction | Ocean waves | California | United States

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