Elevation Above Bottom Given Pressure Beneath Solitary Wave Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ y = y_s - \frac{p}{\rho_s \cdot [g]} \]

Ordinate of the Water Surface (y_s):

Pressure Under Wave (p):

Density of Salt Water (ρ_s):

kg/m³

Elevation Above Bottom (y):

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1. What is Elevation Above Bottom?

Elevation above the Bottom refers to the height or depth of an object or feature above the seabed or ocean floor. It is an important parameter in coastal engineering and oceanography for understanding wave dynamics and pressure distribution.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ y = y_s - \frac{p}{\rho_s \cdot [g]} \]

Where:

\( y \) — Elevation above the bottom (m)
\( y_s \) — Ordinate of the water surface (m)
\( p \) — Pressure under wave (Pa)
\( \rho_s \) — Density of salt water (kg/m³)
\( [g] \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.80665 m/s²)

Explanation: The formula calculates the elevation above the seabed by accounting for the pressure exerted by the water column and the density of salt water.

3. Importance of Elevation Calculation

Details: Accurate elevation calculation is crucial for coastal structure design, wave energy assessment, and understanding sediment transport processes in marine environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter ordinate of water surface in meters, pressure under wave in Pascals, and density of salt water in kg/m³. All values must be positive, with density greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical density range for salt water?
A: Salt water density typically ranges from 1020 to 1030 kg/m³, depending on salinity and temperature conditions.

Q2: How does wave pressure affect elevation calculation?
A: Higher wave pressure results in lower elevation above bottom, as more pressure indicates greater water column height above the measurement point.

Q3: Can this calculator be used for freshwater applications?
A: Yes, but you would need to use the appropriate density value for freshwater (approximately 1000 kg/m³).

Q4: What are typical pressure values under waves?
A: Pressure values can vary significantly based on wave height and water depth, typically ranging from hundreds to thousands of Pascals.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation method?
A: The formula provides a good approximation for solitary wave conditions, but may have limitations for complex wave patterns or extreme conditions.