In this paper, a novel idea to produce continuous breaking
waves is discussed, whereby a pressure source is rotated within
an annular wave pool. The concept is that the inner ring of the
annulus has a sloping bathymetry to induce wave breaking from
the wake of the pressure source. In order to refine the
technique, work is being conducted to better understand the
mechanics of surfable waves generated by moving pressure
sources in restricted water. This paper reports on the first stage of an experimental
investigation of a novel method for generating continuously
surfable waves utilising a moving pressure source. The aim was
to measure and assess the waves generated by two parabolic
pressure sources and a wavedozer [I] for their suitability for
future development of continuous breaking surfable waves. The
tests were conducted at the Australian Maritime College
(AMC), University of Tasmania (UTas) 100 metre long towing
tank. The experimental results as variations in wave height ( H )
divided by water depth ( h ) as functions of depth Froude number
( Fr h ) and h , together with predictions from both methods, are
presented in this paper.
Finally, measures of the wave making energy efficiency of each
pressure source, and the surfable quality of the waves generated
by it, were developed and are presented.