1. What is Water Surface Elevation?

Water Elevation is the height or level of water relative to a specified reference point. It's a crucial parameter in understanding the behavior of coastal and ocean environments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Water Surface Elevation formula:

Where:

• \( \eta'' \) — Water Elevation (m)
• \( H \) — Wave Height (m)
• \( \theta \) — Phase Angle (rad)

Explanation: This formula calculates the water surface elevation based on wave height and phase angle, where the cosine function represents the oscillatory nature of wave motion.

3. Importance of Water Elevation Calculation

Details: Accurate water elevation calculation is essential for coastal engineering, flood prediction, navigation safety, and understanding wave-structure interactions in marine environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wave height in meters and phase angle in radians. Both values must be valid (wave height > 0, phase angle ≥ 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is phase angle in wave mechanics?
A: Phase Angle is the angular displacement between the oscillations of water level and pore water pressure within the seabed or coastal structures.

Q2: Why use cosine function in this calculation?
A: Cosine of an angle is the ratio of the side adjacent to the angle to the hypotenuse of the triangle. In wave mechanics, it accurately represents the periodic nature of wave elevation.

Q3: What are typical wave height values?
A: Wave heights can vary from a few centimeters in calm conditions to over 30 meters in extreme storm conditions.

Q4: How does phase angle affect water elevation?
A: The phase angle determines the position in the wave cycle, with different angles corresponding to different elevations (crest, trough, or intermediate positions).

Q5: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: This formula provides a simplified representation and may not account for complex wave interactions, nonlinear effects, or varying bathymetry in real-world conditions.