Abstract

The successfull reproduction of a shallow-water wave environment in the laboratory has become relevant for a number of industrial applications. These concern shallow-water applications such as wave energy conversion, vessel behaviour, and loading of offshore wind structures and oil platforms located close to the shoreline. The greatest challenge presented by shallow-water waves is their significant nonlinearity. This nonlinearity limits the applicability of partially-nonlinear analytical theories based on a Stokes-type expansion. In contrast, fully-nonlinear numerical solutions and numerical wave tanks may overcome this difficulty. Their superiority in modelling highly-nonlinear waves makes them more suitable to shallow-water applications. In this context, the present PhD research seeks to develop an effective wave generation strategy suitable to shallow-water conditions.