Bivariate description of offshore wave conditions with physics-based extreme value statistics

Abstract This paper aims to find a model for the bivariate description of extreme wave heights and wave periods representing relatively deep-water sea states. To achieve this, four statistical models taken from literature and a model based on the physical behaviour of waves have been tested on wave data at two sites. The models have been compared with regard to their ability to correctly describe the data, their behaviour when used for extrapolation to extreme events, and the transparency of the methods.