Abstract:
The presented work describes a wide range of wave channel tests performed at the National
Laboratory of Civil Engineering (LNEC), considering different incident wave conditions, with the
objective of studying the wave breaking hydrodynamics. Special attention was made to the end
of the wave breaking process. The experimental setup, the incident wave conditions, the
equipment and the performed measurements (free surface elevation and particle velocity) are
herein described. Time, spectral and statistical analysis based upon the measured data are also
performed and presented. Moreover, a more deepen analysis related: (i) the relative wave
height (H/d); (ii) the wave celerity; (iii) the two-dimensional distribution of the particle velocities
components in the xy, xz and yz planes and; (iv) the average wave direction and spreading
angle is carried out and presented. Vertical velocity profiles are also presented.