Wind Wave Growth in Shallow Water

Abstract
New developments in the area of shallow water wave spectra have aided in the derivation of an equation for the limiting wave height in the case of fully saturated wind seas in shallow water. The result is very similar to the empirically derived expression obtained by Bretschneider in 1958. Starting with an equation for the depth controlled zero moment wave height in terms of depth, Phillip's coefficient, and the wave period associated with the peak spectral frequency, the result is obtained using a recently developed empirical experssion for the Phillip's coefficient and a method for specifying the peak spectral frequency at full development in shallow water. The good comparison to Bretschneider's result is satisfying in that further validity is added to the basic equation used in the derivation and to the newer developments in shallow water spectral representations.