Incorporation of Wind Effects into Boussinesq Wave Models

TLDR: In this article, a new parameterization of the momentum flux transferred from the wind to surface gravity waves in the coastal region on the basis of the field observations was proposed, followed by the implementation of the parameterized wind stress into phase-resolving Boussinesq wave models.

Abstract: Recent advances in the Boussinesq modeling of nearshore hydrodynamics offer a platform for the study of wind effects on wave transformation and breaking-generated nearshore circulation. The paper documents: (1) the new parameterization of the momentum flux transferred from the wind to surface gravity waves in the coastal region on the basis of the field observations; (2) the implementation of the parameterized wind stress into phase-resolving Boussinesq wave models; (3) the development of empirical breaking criteria with the wind effect based on the existing laboratory data; and (4) the tests of the extended Boussinesq model against field observations and empirical results with respect to wind drag coefficients over shoaling waves and wave growth on a shallow lake. Fairly good agreement between the model results and measurements is observed. The methodology for the parameterization of the wind stress as a function of wave steepness and wind speed as well as the extended Boussinesq model incorporating the wind forcing can be used as a tool to improve our understanding of wind effects on nearshore wave propagation and horizontal circulation.