Determining of wave refraction by a numerical method

SUMMARY It is necessary to determine the wave mechanics in the coastal zone in order to understand and utilize this area. It is very difficult, however, to determine wave mechanism in this irregular zone. Especially, wave refraction over such irregular topographies is a very complicated process. In this study, differential equations governing wave refraction of regular waves are numerically solved and a computer programme which determine orthogonal, height and angle of refracted waves is developed. Wave shoaling and breaking are also taken into consideration in the programme. The study comprises six chapters and appendices. In the first chapter, general knowledge about wave mechanics and related literature review are given. In the second chapter, numerical studies on wave refraction are introduced and a computer programme to solve the governing equations is developed. In the thirty chapter, the developed model is applied to both regular and irregular topographies. The result are presented together with a result of Snell law for regular bottoms and with a result of graphical methods for irregular bottoms. In the fourth chapter, the results obtained from the numerical model are compared with those of Snell law and graphical methods. In the fifty chapter, conclusion of this study are presented. In the sixty chapter, recommendations are given. Key words: Wave Refraction, Wave Mechanics, Water Wave, Wave Shoaling, Wave Breaking, Numerical Model