1. What is Significant Wave Height?

Significant Wave Height (Hs) is the mean wave height of the highest one-third of the waves. It is a standard parameter used in oceanography and coastal engineering to characterize sea state conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Rayleigh Distribution formula:

Where:

• \( H_s \) — Significant Wave Height (m)
• \( H_{rms} \) — Root Mean Square Wave Height (m)

Explanation: This formula is based on the Rayleigh distribution assumption for wave heights, which is commonly used for fully developed sea states.

3. Importance of Significant Wave Height Calculation

Details: Significant Wave Height is crucial for marine operations, coastal structure design, navigation safety, and offshore activities. It provides a reliable measure of wave energy and sea state severity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the Root Mean Square Wave Height in meters. The value must be positive and greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between Hs and Hrms?
A: Hs represents the average of the highest one-third of waves, while Hrms is the square root of the average of the squares of all wave heights.

Q2: When is the Rayleigh distribution assumption valid?
A: The Rayleigh distribution is typically valid for fully developed sea states with narrow-banded wave spectra.

Q3: What are typical values for Significant Wave Height?
A: Values range from less than 1m in calm conditions to over 15m in extreme storm conditions.

Q4: How is this used in practical applications?
A: Used in ship design, offshore platform engineering, coastal protection, and marine weather forecasting.

Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: The 1.414 factor assumes a Rayleigh distribution, which may not be accurate for all sea conditions, particularly in shallow water or mixed sea states.