Crest-Height Distribution in Nonlinear Random Wave
Many empirical and theoretical distribution functions for wave crest heights have been proposed, but there is a lack of agreement. With the development of ocean exploitation, waves crest heights represent a key point in the design of coastal structures, both fixed and floating, for shoreline protection and flood prevention. Waves crest height is the dominant parameter in assessing the likelihood of wave-in-deck impact and its resulting severe damage. Unlike wave heights, wave crests generally appear to be affected by nonlinearities; therefore, linear wave theory could not be satisfied to practical application. It is great significant to estimate a new nonlinear wave crest height distribution model correctly. This paper derives an approximation distribution formula based on Stokes wave theory. The resulting theoretical forms for nonlinear wave crest are compared with observed data and discussed in detail. The results are shown to be in good agreement. Furthermore, the results indicate that the new theoretical distribution has more accurate than other methods presented in this paper (e.g. Rayleigh distribution and Weibull distribution) and appears to have a greater range of applicability.