Nonlinear refraction-diffraction of surface waves in intermediate and shallow water

A numerical scheme for solving the nonlinear Boussinesq equations is introduced. The numerical model is used to investigate nonlinear refraction-diffraction of surface gravity waves over a semicircular shoal. Results are compared with experimental data (Whalin, 1971) and previous reported numerical results by Liu and Tsay (1984) and Liu, Yoon and Kirby (1985). The present calculations reproduce the earlier results for shallow water waves, but are superior in intermediate water depth.