TABLE OF CONTENTS

Simulation of ocean wave processes and model studies related to marine technology are areas of increasing economic and environmental importance. Sophisticated laboratory facilities are needed to model ocean wave phenomena under controlled conditions. This thesis describes the techniques and principles employed in the design, commissioning and evaluation of a computer controlled random wave generation facility devised to accurately simulate spectral wave models. A discussion on the classification of ocean waves is presented together with a review of classical wave theories and their range of application. The treatment of water waves as a random process is presented along with an outline of current spectral analysis techniques. Statistical properties of random waves are considered and a description of various mathematical spectral models used to represent ocean waves is given. Various designs and random wave generation techniques employed in existing laboratory wave generators are critically reviewed. A detailed description of the design of the wave generator, wave absorbers and wave probe is presented. Computer software developed for managing the wave generator was principally designed to control the wave maker motion and carry out spectral and statistical analyses of recorded wave data. Experiments aimed at evaluating the characteristics of the wave generator and ancillary equipment are outlined. Both the static and dynamic properties of the wave probe were investigated as well as the reflection characteristics of the wave absorbers. The system frequency response characteristics under various operating conditions were measured and are discussed. Random waves produced from a spectral model were used to compare the performance of open and closed-loop control techniques. A series of experiments devised to investigate the capability of the system to generate spectral models of ocean waves were conducted and the results are discussed