Question

The breaker wave height and alongshore current are measured as 5.5 ft and 2.7 ft/s, respectively. For a beach slope of 1 :20 with straight and parallel depth contours, determine the angle of wave approach at the breaker zone.

Answer 1

the alongshore current can be calculated through the empirical relation with four strongest independent variables-

v(velocity)= -0.170455 + 0.037376(_b) + 0.031801(T_b) + 0.241176(H_bs) + 0.030923(m)

   where v=current or velocity.

              _b=acute angle between breaker front and shoreline in degrees.

              T_b=seconds.

              H= breakear height(wave)

             m=beach slope.

Therefore using the values in the given problem,

2.7 = -0.170455+0.037376(_b)+0.031801(0)+0.241176(5.5)+0.030923(1/20)

angle of wave approach at the breaker zone (_b) =41.26 degree