Measurements of the wind-wave energy flux in an opposing wind

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Abstract
A wind-wave flume which allows mechanically generated water waves to propagate in opposition to a boundary-layer air flow has been used to measure the air-flow structure in an opposing wind–wave situation. Measurements of the wave-induced pressure closely follow the predictions of potential flow theory, with the pressure in antiphase with the water surface. Hence, in contrast to the following wind situation, there is no appreciable air–water energy flux due to normal stresses. The vertical and horizontal wave-induced velocities deviate slightly in magnitude from the potential flow result while still following it qualitatively. Based on these velocity measurements it is determined that the Reynolds stress is the dominant term in causing the decay of waves in opposing winds. The predicted rate of decay has a squared dependence on the wave slope and the ratio of wind speed to wave phase speed.

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