The JONSWAP spectra in the wave-frequency domain

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Overview

The JONSWAP (Joint North Sea Wave Project) spectra is an empirical relationship that defines the distribution of energy with frequency within the ocean.

The JONSWAP spectrum is effectively a fetch-limited version of the Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum, except that the wave spectrum is never fully developed and may continue to develop due to non-linear wave-wave interactions for a very long time. Therefore in the JONSWAP spectrum, waves continues to grow with distance (or time) as specified by the α (alpha) term, and the peak in the spectrum is more pronounced, as specified by the γ (gamma) term. Hasselmann (1966) found the latter to be particularly important as it lead to enhanced non-linear interactions.

References

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FUNCTION

JONSWAP_Gnnw

The JONSWAP (Joint North Sea Wave Project) spectra is an empirical relationship that defines the distribution of energy with frequency within the ocean.

The underlying equation is:

S(\omega) = \frac{\alpha g^2}{\omega^5} \exp \left[-\beta \frac{\omega_p^4}{\omega^4}\right ] \gamma^a
(1)

where

  • \displaystyle a=\exp \left [-\frac{(\omega - \omega_p)^2}{2 w_p^2 \sigma^2} \right ]
  • \displaystyle \sigma = \begin{cases} 0.07 & \text{ if } \omega\leq \omega_p  \\ 0.09 & \text{ if } \omega>\omega_p \end{cases}
  • \displaystyle \beta = \frac{5}{4}
  • α is a constant that relates to the wind speed and fetch length, see below. Typical values in the northern north sea are in the range of 0.0081 to 0.01
  • ω is the wave frequency
  • \omega_p is the peak wave-frequency

Most problems is the literature are expressed in the above form. However if a particular wind speed and fetch length are known, then α and \omega_p can be estimated using the subsequent two functions.

For a range of typical north sea conditions (where α =0.0081 and \omega_p=2 \pi/12.4=0.5), but with varying peak enhancements the JONSWAP spectra has the form \graph w=0:1.5 wp=0.5 alpha=0.0081 gamma=1:3.3:4

Standards

This function conforms to British Standards (BS 6349-1:2000), 24 July 2003.

Parameters

w
wave-frequency (2 π/s)
wp
the peak wave frequency (2 π/s)
alpha
The intensity of the Spectra. Default value = 0.0081
gamma
Peak enhancement factor. Default value = 3.3
beta
A shape factor (Rarely changed). Default value = 1.25

Interactive Calculator

w
wp
alpha
gamma
beta
Result

FUNCTION

JONSWAP_wp

The peak of the JONSWAP spectrum is empirically define by

\omega_p = 2.84 \; g^{0.7}\; L_F^{-0.3}\; U_W^{-0.4}
(2)

where

  • U_W is the wind speed at 10m above the sea surface
  • L_F is the fetch length

Standards

This function conforms to British Standards (BS 6349-1:2000), 24 July 2003.

Parameters

wind
The wind speed 10m above the sea surface. [m/s]
length
The fetch length. [m]

Interactive Calculator

wind
length
Result

FUNCTION

JONSWAP_alpha

The overall energy within the JONSWAP spectrum is controlled by the α constant and is related to wind speed and the peak frequency by:

\alpha = 0.033 \left ( \frac{\omega_p U_w}{g} \right )^{2/3}
(3)

where

  • U_W is the wind speed at 10m above the sea surface
  • \omega_p is the peak frequency calculated using equation (2)

This function uses JONSWAP_wp (above) to obtain w\_p for a given fetch length and wind speed.

Parameters

wind
The wind speed 10m above the sea surface. [m/s]
length
The fetch length. [m]

Interactive Calculator

wind
length
Result

FUNCTION

JONSWAP_Gnnk

Uses the description of the JONSWAP spectra described in frequency to obtain the distribution in wave-number using the 1st order dispersion relationship give in Dispersion.

This conversion is thus

G_{\eta\eta}(k) = G_{\eta\eta}(\omega) \frac{\partial \omega}{\partial k}
(4)

where in deep water

\frac{\partial \omega}{\partial k} = \frac{g}{2\omega}
(5)

and in shallow water

\frac{\partial \omega}{\partial k} = \frac{g}{2\omega} \left [ k sech^2(k d) + tanh(k d) \right ]
(6)

For a range of north sea conditions (where α =0.0081 and \omega_p=2 \pi/12.4=0.5), but with varying peak enhancements the JONSWAP spectra has the following form in wave-number: \graph k=0:0.1 wp=0.5 alpha=0.0081 gamma=1:3.3:4 depth=0

Parameters

k
Wave-number (2 π/m)
wp
The peak wave frequency
depth
The water depth. Default value=0 (infinite depth)
alpha
The intensity of the spectra. Default value = 0.01
gamma
The peak enhancement factor. Default value = 3.3
beta
A shape factor (Rarely changed). Default value = 1.25

Interactive Calculator

k
wp
depth
alpha
gamma
beta
Result