Wave Load Pattern Form

Additional form: Wave Plot

Use this form to specify the various parameters for a wave load. Those parameters include the following:

Wave Characteristics. Use the default, or click the Add or Modify/Show button to access the Wave Characteristics form.
Current Profile. Use the default or click the Add or Modify/Show button to access the Current Profile Data form.
Marine Growth. Use the default or click the Add or Modify/Show button to access the Marine Growth Data form.
Drag and Inertia Coefficients. Use the default or click the Add or Modify/Show button to access the Drag and Inertia Coefficients form.
Wind Load. Use the default or click the Add or Modify/Show button to access the Wave Wind Load form.
Include Buoyant Loads check box. When this check box is checked, buoyant loads will be included as part of the wave load pattern. Uncheck the check box to exclude buoyant loads from the wave load pattern.
Maximum Discretization Segment Size edit box. The wave load discretization is the maximum discretization length for distributed wave loads that are applied to objects in the model. For example, consider a distributed wave load acting along a frame object. A value is calculated for the wave load at points along the frame object that are no further apart than the specified wave load discretization length. The magnitude of the distributed wave load is assumed to vary linearly between these calculated locations.
Wave Crest Position

- Global X Coord of Pt on Initial Crest Position and Global Y Coord of Pt on Initial Crest Position edit boxes. Specify global X and Y coordinates of a point on the initial wave crest position.

- Number of Wave Crest Positions Considered edit box. Specify the number of wave crest positions to be considered. The meaning of the number of wave crest positions to be considered is explained by the example shown in the figure, which shows a case of four wave crest positions. The location of the initial wave crest position is uniquely identified by the specified global X and Y coordinates on the initial wave crest and the specified wave approach angle (wave direction).

Wave Approach Angle in Degrees edit box. Specify the wave approach angle in degrees. The wave direction angle is input as an angle in degrees measured counterclockwise from the positive global X axis.
Global Z Coordinate of Vertical Datum edit box. Specify the Global Z Coordinate of Vertical Datum to locate the vertical reference datum. All other vertical elevations in the wave load definition, including those used in defining currents, marine growth and drag and inertia coefficients, are specified with reference to this datum. The location of the vertical reference datum is arbitrary. Any convenient location can be selected. One convenient location for the datum is at the storm water level.
Other Vertical Elevations Relative to Datum
- Mudline from Datum edit box. Specify the Mudline from Datum to locate the mud line with respect to the vertical reference datum. No wave loads are applied below the mud line.
- High Tide from Datum edit box. Specify the High Tide from Datum to locate the high tide with respect to the vertical reference datum. The high tide elevation is used when determining the default drag and inertia coefficients.
Water Weight Density edit box. This is the unit weight of the water in Force/Length3 units.
Show Wave Table button. Click this button to display the Wave Data Table form. This form provides a summary of all input parameters entered using the options on this form and the associated forms for Wave Characteristics, Current Profile, Marine Growth, Drag and Inertia Coefficients, and Wind Load.
Show Wave Plot button. Click this button to display the Wave Plot form. The form has various options to specify the type of display (values, contours, using arrows, or vertical or horizontal cuts), the item to be displayed (horizontal wave velocity, horizontal current velocity, horizontal total velocity, horizontal wave velocity, vertical wave velocity, vertical wave acceleration) and the Z/X scaling ratio for displaying the plot. The form also has the following commands, check boxes, and buttons:
Use the File menu > Capture Picture commands on the Wave Plot form to generate a .jpg format file of the Entire Form, the Form without the Title Bar or the Plot Only.
When the Show Wave Discretization check box is checked, the plot will include the specified wave load discretization length as part of the display.
With the Show Values at Pointer check box checked, run the cursor over the plot to display the values at the location of the cursor.
Modify/Show Wave button. Click this button to display the Wave Characteristics form, which can be used to modify or update the wave definition.
Refresh View button. Click this button to update the display of the wave.
Show Wave Table button. Click this button to display the Wave Data Table form (see description above).

For additional clarification of wave loading, click the Help menu > Documentation command and double click on Waves in the SAP2000 Documentation display area. This will display a list of technical notes related to the waves feature in SAP2000. Highlight a document name in the list and click the Display Selected Document button to access the document in .pdf file format.