Experimental study on wave-current interaction

This study investigates experimentally the wave-current interaction and its mechanism. Hydraulic model experiments were carried out in the open channel installed in a three dimensional wave basin to measure the wave height distributions and velocity fields in the channel. The experimental results indicate that the wave height increases initially due to the effects of the current and then decreases gradually as the wave propagates upstream when the wave direction opposes the current. The incident wave period affects the decrease in wave height; in particular, a strong current results in spilling-type breakers. The results show that waves also affect the current to weaken the current velocity.