13 Wave Generation and Data 

 Collection Systems at 

 SUPERTANK 1 



Introduction 



Background 



Interaction of waves with an erodible boundary is a fluid phenomenon that 

 must be examined at large Reynolds numbers to avoid distortion of dynamic 

 phenomena due to viscous scale effects. This scale effect has been demon- 

 strated previously in rubble slope stability tests (Sollitt and DeBok 1976). 

 Predictive modeling of cross-shore hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and 

 beach profile response to waves requires model validation through experiments 

 conducted at prototype or near-prototype scale. A large, two-dimensional 

 wave channel provides a controlled and repeatable environment for examining 

 cross-shore processes in a cost-effective manner. Several large-scale laborato- 

 ry studies of cross-shore beach profile change have been conducted, including 

 the initial work of Saville (1956) and more recently Kajima et al. (1982), 

 Vellinga (1986), and Dette and Uliczka (1987). However, these studies used 

 wave channels with reflective seaward boundaries and did not utilize the full 

 complement of contemporary instrumentation now available to monitor beach 

 processes. The latter conditions were the primary motivation for performing 

 the SUPERTANK Laboratory Data Collection Project at the O. H. Hinsdale 

 Wave Research Laboratory (WRL), Oregon State University (OSU). 



A major feature of the WRL is the large two-dimensional wave channel 

 which is 342 ft (104.2 m) long, 12 ft (3.66 m) wide, and 15 ft (4.57 m) deep, 

 appearing in Figure 13-1. A hydraulically driven, hinged-flap wave board 

 generates random and monochromatic waves up to 5 ft (1.5 m) high. Direct 

 digital controls were installed in 1991 which allow active absorption of 



'Written by Charles K. Sollitt, David R. Standley, William H. Hollings, and Terence L. 

 Dibble, Oregon State University. 



Chapter 13 Wave Generation and Data Collection Systems 



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