A Fourier approximation for finite amplitude short‐crested waves

Abstract A numerical scheme using Fourier series approximation is presented to calculate short‐crested waves of finite amplitude in water of arbitrary uniform depth. The numerical model preserves the water surface elevation in an implicit form which retains the nonlinear nature of the dynamic and kinematic free surface boundary conditions. Accurate solutions can be derived for the variations in frequency, wave profiles and properties of pressures. The present model is directly reducible to the two‐dimensional limiting cases of progressive and standing waves.