Analytical, physical and numerical model for wind driven storm surge

A Storm surge is an offshore rise of water caused primarily by high winds pushing on the ocean's surface. The wind causes the water to pile up higher than the ordinary sea level. Whist the steady solutions for forced waves have been known for some time, Nielsen (2006) assembled an analytical solution for shallow water forced waves comprising transient dynamics. This solution consists of two free waves and a forced wave which propagate at different speeds and directions from where the forcing begins. This thesis gathers a comprehensive set of laboratory experiments during which a shear mattress has been towed through stationary water on the bottom of a flume, with the aim to simulate the action the wind exerts blowing over the ocean surface. The free and forced waves have been measured using four acoustic sensors placed above the flume. The experimental results have been then analyzed for comparison against the analytical solution with the purpose of either validating or disproving it. A numerical model developed by Ahmadi et al (2007) has been also employed to assist in the analysis