A simple and robust method for calculating return periods of ocean waves

Edward B.L. Mackay, Lars Johanning

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceedings published in a bookpeer-review

Abstract

A new method is introduced for combining the long-term distribution of sea states with the short-term distribution of individual wave or crest heights, conditional on sea state. The method uses a Monte Carlo approach to simulate random realisations of the maximum wave or crest height in each sea state. A peaks-over-threshold analysis is conducted on the random maxima in each sea state in order to estimate the longterm distribution of individual wave or crest heights. The new method is significantly simpler than existing methods such as the equivalent storm approach, requires fewer assumptions and has similar computational times. The new method is applied to a 35 year dataset of wave buoy measurements and is shown to produce almost identical estimates of return values of individual crest heights to the equivalent storm method.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHonoring Symposium for Professor Carlos Guedes Soares on Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering
PublisherAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ISBN (Electronic)9780791851333
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventASME 2018 37th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, OMAE 2018 - Madrid, Spain
Duration: 17 Jun 201822 Jun 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering - OMAE
Volume11B

Conference

ConferenceASME 2018 37th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering, OMAE 2018
Country/TerritorySpain
CityMadrid
Period17/06/1822/06/18

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ocean Engineering
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A simple and robust method for calculating return periods of ocean waves'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this