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The water depth formula calculates the depth of water based on coastal cross-shore component, water density, gravitational acceleration, and wave height. It's used in coastal engineering and oceanography to determine water depth in various marine environments.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula relates water depth to wave characteristics and coastal dynamics, providing an important parameter for coastal engineering calculations.
Details: Accurate water depth calculation is crucial for coastal engineering projects, navigation safety, marine construction, and understanding coastal erosion processes.
Tips: Enter coastal cross-shore component in N/m, water density in kg/m³ (default 1000 for seawater), and wave height in meters. All values must be positive.
Q1: What is the coastal cross-shore component?
A: The coastal cross-shore component refers to the cumulative movement of beach and nearshore sand perpendicular to the shore by the combined action of tides, wind and waves.
Q2: What is the typical value for water density?
A: Seawater density is typically around 1025 kg/m³, while freshwater density is 1000 kg/m³ at 4°C.
Q3: How does wave height affect water depth calculation?
A: Wave height has a quadratic relationship in the denominator, meaning larger waves will result in smaller calculated water depths for the same cross-shore component.
Q4: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: The formula assumes ideal conditions and may not account for complex coastal topography, varying sediment types, or extreme weather conditions.
Q5: Can this formula be used for all water bodies?
A: While primarily designed for coastal applications, the formula can be adapted for other water bodies with appropriate adjustments for local conditions.