Statistical Theory of Irregular Waves

The following sections are included:

• Distribution of Wave Heights

  • Envelope of Irregular Wave Profile

  • The Rayleigh Distribution of Wave Heights

  • Probability Distribution of Largest Wave Height

• Wave Grouping

  • Wave Grouping and Its Quantitative Description

  • Probability Distribution of Run Length for Uncorrelated Waves

  • Correlation Coefficient Between Successive Wave Heights

  • Theory of Run Length for Mutually Correlated Wave Heights

• Distribution of Wave Periods

  • Mean Period of Zero-Upcrossing Waves

  • Marginal Distribution of Wave Periods and Joint Distribution of Wave Heights and Periods

• Maxima of Irregular Wave Profiles

• Nonlinearity of Sea Waves

  • Nonlinearity of Surface Elevation

  • Effects of Wave Nonlinearity on Characteristic Wave Heights and Periods

  • Nonlinear Components of Wave Spectrum

• Sampling Variability of Sea Waves

• References