Source term investigation SWAN

In this study the source terms of the third generation wave prediction model SWAN have been investigated. The purpose of this study is to examine possible source for observed discrepancies in the prediction of the significant wave height and the mean wave period in the Westerschelde estuary and other areas as well. The following aspects of the modelling of wind waves have been addressed: the horizontal variation of the wind profile after a land-sea transition and the subsequent wave modelling, existing and alternative source function for wind input, whitecapping dissipation and non-linear quadruplet wave-wave interactions, an analysis of the behaviour of the spectrum and source terms at high frequencies, a sensitivity analysis of SWAN, a verification of SWAN against field data and a calibration of SWAN against known growth curves.