A new approximate solution to the surface wave problem

Recent measurements of wave kinematics, showing that the horizontal velocity under the trough is in absolute value greater than the velocity under the crest, can not be explained by the Stokes theories up to and including the fifth order theory which are normally used by the offshore industry in the design process. This has led to a reconsideration of the surface wave problem. By applying a Green function technique a solution is obtained which reflects these recent experimental results on wave kinematics. This solution and the Stokes higher order solutions represent different approximate solutions to the surface wave problem. It turns out, however, that this new approximate solution gives a better fit to the measurements than do the approximate solutions obtained from the Stokes higher order theories. In the present paper deep water waves are discussed, but the method of solution can just as well be applied to the finite water depth case.