With reference to theoretical models for the prediction of fluid accel
erations under irregular waves, comparisons with measured data are rep
orted. Numerical techniques have been developed to filter and differen
tiate laboratory velocity data collected under irregular waves in orde
r to compute estimates of the local fluid accelerations. Algorithms fo
r evaluating several acceleration theories are furthermore presented.
The algorithms described are thereafter applied to laboratory data. Co
nclusions and recommendations for future studies are presented in the
final section of the paper.