Wave-current interaction involving iteration between finite element wave and current models

A wave-current interaction model has been developed by the authors. The wave sub-model uses the elliptic form of the mild slope wave equation in the domain and the parabolic form of the mild slope equation as an absorbing boundary condition. A set-up/set-down and current sub-model uses radiation stress values as a driving force. These are obtained from the velocity potential results, including breaking, of the wave sub-model. The wave submodel includes wave-current interaction and hence an iterative solution scheme can be carried out between the two sub-models to achieve accurate results of wave behaviour in the coastal zone. The results of this paper show that wave-current interaction is accurately modelled by the wave sub-model and that the overall iterative solution scheme provides accurate results for wave behaviour in the coastal zone.