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Turbulent stresses in the surf-zone: Which way is up?

By:  and 
Edited by: B.L Edge

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Abstract

Velocity observations from a vertical stack of three-component Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADVs) within the energetic surf-zone are presented. Rapid temporal sampling and small sampling volume provide observations suitable for investigation of the role of turbulent fluctuations in surf-zone dynamics. While sensor performance was good, failure to recover reliable measures of tilt from the vertical compromise the data value. We will present some cursory observations supporting the ADV performance, and examine the sensitivity of stress estimates to uncertainty in the sensor orientation. It is well known that turbulent stress estimates are highly sensitive to orientation relative to vertical when wave motions are dominant. Analyses presented examine the potential to use observed flow-field characteristics to constrain sensor orientation. Results show that such an approach may provide a consistent orientation to a fraction of a degree, but the inherent sensitivity of stress estimates requires a still more restrictive constraint. Regardless, the observations indicate the degree to which stress estimates are dependent on orientation, and provide some indication of the temporal variability in time-averaged stress estimates.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Turbulent stresses in the surf-zone: Which way is up?
Volume 3
Year Published 1997
Language English
Publisher ASCE
Publisher location New York, NY, United States
Larger Work Title Proceedings of the Coastal Engineering Conference
First page 3453
Last page 3466
Conference Title Proceedings of the 1996 25th International Conference on Coastal Engineering. Part 1 (of 4)
Conference Location Orlando, FL, USA
Conference Date 2 September 1996 through 6 September 1996
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