A NUMERICAL MODEL ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN NEARSHORE NONLINEAR WAVES AND STRONG CURRENTS

A new model for nearshore nonlinear water wave is established through the Galerkin Chebyshev spectral approach on the vertical direction. The model is based on the spatial-temporal separation conception. The Galerkin Chebyshev spectral approach is applied to solve the Laplace equation, while the Zakharov's expression of the free surface boundary condition is considered as the evolution equation of the free surface and integrated temporally. The accuracy and efficiency of the model are conformed by the results of simulation of water waves over even bottom, nonlinear wave shoaling and harmonic generation over a submerged bar. Finally, the model is used to study the wave blocking phenomenon due to strong opposing currents. Both the location of the blocking point and the wave structure near the point are well presented.