On the mass transport of water waves in a turbulent boundary layer

Abstract

An analytical theory describing the mass transport velocity induced by water waves in a turbulent boundary layer is presented. A one-layer time-invariant eddy viscosity model, which is more realistic under natural conditions, is specified to calculate steady streaming within boundary layer. A simplified analysis is developed based on the wave friction factor relating the bottom shear stress and free stream velocity. A predicted reversal of the mass transport is obtained for the case of long waves. The results are similar to those based on time-dependent eddy viscosity models. The present theory is much simpler mathematically than existing theories. The numerical results are compared favorably with available data.