Further Tests on Ocean Wave Forces on Sphere

Wave force coefficients have been obtained for a 28.8-in diam sphere. The work was done at a test site in 37 ft of water offshore from Honolulu. The peak flow velocities encountered during the tests were usually in the 2-fps to 3-fps range. The highest measured flow speed was 4.6 fps. Thus, the maximum-particle-velocity Reynolds numbers involved are in the range of 5 x 10⁵ to 11 x 10⁵. These values, coupled with high turbulence levels in the flow because of the cycling of the sphere.s wake, assure that the data obtained are for transcritical situations. Tight statistical distributions of drag and inertia coefficients were found. However, it was felt most useful to consider a maximum total force coefficient, and this had the variation shown later in this note.