1 Mechanics of Internal Waves Propagating over a Varying Bottom Slope

Abstract: We studied theoretically and experimentally the transformation, attenuation, and setup due to shoaling and breaking of internal waves in a two-layer fluid system on a uniform slope. An image processing technique was used to illustrate 2D instantaneous displacements of density interface. These results were compared with the calculated values by using the method of characteristics, the simple shoaling model with energy dissipation, and the momentum balance equation based on a radiation stress concept. We also measured the upper and lower velocity fields for progressive internal waves by using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV)