Wave boundary layer in flow measurements near the seabed

Analysis of data near the seabed in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Washington state, in 18 m water depth and EDDA, North Sea, in 70 m water depth gives estimates of large wave boundary layers. Such wave boundary layer data are not available in the open literature and are relatively scarce. Although the physical bottoms in the two locations are different, the general character of the boundary layer, which includes a velocity overshoot, was similar.

However, in general the data demonstrate large variability in the detailed velocity profile. Published semi-empirical formulas for wave boundary layer characteristics show good agreement with the analysis results from these measurements. Consistency is also found between the analysis results from these field data and large and small scale laboratory tests with sinusoidal oscillations.