Influence of Nonlinear Interaction on the Evolution of Waves in a Shallow Basin

Abstract

The influence of nonlinear interaction of oppositely directed nonlinear waves in a shallow basin is studied theoretically and numerically within the nonlinear theory of shallow water. It is shown that this interaction leads to a change in the phase of propagation of the main wave, which is forced to propagate along the flow induced by the oncoming wave. The estimates of the undisturbed wave height at the time of interaction agree with the theoretical predictions. The phase shift during the interaction of undisturbed waves is sufficiently small, but becomes noticeable in the case of the propagation of breaking waves.