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On wave-current interaction theories of Langmuir circulations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2006

S. Leibovich
S. Leibovich
Affiliation:
Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853
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Abstract

The Craik–Leibovich (CL) equations for Langmuir circulations are shown to be an Eulerian approximation to an exact theory of the generalized Lagrangian mean (GLM) due to Andrews and McIntyre. Derivation of the CL equations using the GLM formalism is decisively simpler than the original method. The CL theory is then compared to other wave–current interaction theories of Langmuir circulations, notably those of Garrett and of Moen.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 99 , Issue 4 , 29 August 1980 , pp. 715 - 724
Copyright
© 1980 Cambridge University Press

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