A Novel Method for Generating Continuously Surfable Waves: Comparison of Predictions With Experimental Results

In this paper, a novel idea to produce continuous breaking waves is discussed, whereby a pressure source is rotated within an annular wave pool. The concept is that the inner ring of the annulus has a sloping bathymetry to induce wave breaking from the wake of the pressure source. In order to refine the technique, work is being conducted to better understand the mechanics of surfable waves generated by moving pressure sources in restricted water. This paper reports on the first stage of an experimental investigation of a novel method for generating continuously surfable waves utilising a moving pressure source. The aim was to measure and assess the waves generated by two parabolic pressure sources and a wavedozer [1] for their suitability for future development of continuous breaking surfable waves. The tests were conducted at the Australian Maritime College (AMC), University of Tasmania (UTas) 100 metre long towing tank. The experimental results as variations in wave height (H) divided by water depth (h) as functions of depth Froude number (Fr_h) and h, together with predictions from both methods, are presented in this paper. Finally, measures of the wave making energy efficiency of each pressure source, and the surfable quality of the waves generated by it, were developed and are presented.