Abstract
This study is focussed on investigating the applicability of the 2nd-order wave theory to different sea-states. The study was conducted by analyzing the experimental wave data and comparing the data with the 2nd-order wave theory. This helps in drawing a line up to which the 2nd-order wave theory can be argued to be valid. The 2nd-order wave theory shows good agreement up to the high sea-state where the significant wave height is in the range of 6 m to 9 m. However, the applicability of this theory in the very high sea-state is unstable and for the phenomenal sea-state the theory highly under-predicts the experimental wave. This study would furnish the basis for choosing the sea-state up to which the 2nd-order Volterra model for loads and responses of the offshore structure can be applicable.
Kumar, Amitabh (2001). Comparison of crest height distributions of experimental and theoretical waves - a search for applicability of 2nd-order theory. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2001 -THESIS -K86.