In this paper the interaction of surface wave trains with an opposing jet is analysed. Results from a series of laboratory experiments to measure vertical velocity profile of a jet in a stagnant ambient and in a wave environment under regular/random wave conditions are reported. The comparison shows that the wave motion can have a significant effect on the wave height/length and the velocity profiles. The experimental horizontal velocity component, depth and time averaged, is compared with a numerical model proposed by Di Natale (1998).
The wave-current interaction is an important process characterised by the modification of the flow field such as wave front deformation, wave height and length reduction or increase, velocity profiles, etc. One of the most interesting features in deep water is a wide offshore current (tidal current, density current, thermal gradient currents, etc.) superimposed to a wind wave field. The interaction of waves with river mouths or water discharge from artificial channel is particular important in shallow water. In the last case, starting from the knowledge of the wave-current field of motion is possible to have a better understanding of other strictly related phenomena i.e. pollutants transport, sediment transport, thermal discharge. Post works show how the problem is approached mathematically using two different schematisations: - No finite width current - Finite width current (jet current) In the first case a theoretical approach to the problem is based on simplified hypothesis of the wave motion field (Hedges, 1987; Jonsson et al., 1990). In the second case, the opposing jet interact with a regular wave field of motion described by a first and second order stokian wave theory (Wiegel, 1975; Peregrine, 1976; Kishida et al., 1988; Abbot et al. 1989; Di Natale, 1998; Yoon et al., 1987, 1989, 1990).
