The Navier-Stokes equations and the exact free surface boundary conditions
are solved to simulate wave deformation and vortex generation in water wave
s propagating over a submerged dike. Incident waves are generated by a pist
on-type wavemaker set up in the computational domain. Numerical results are
compared with experimental data in order to confirm the validity of the nu
merical model. The fast Fourier transform and a wave resolution technique a
re applied to decompose the transformed waves and the higher harmonics. Eff
ects of different parameters on wave transformation and vortex generation a
re studied systematically. These parameters include the Ursell number, the
Keulegan-Carpenter number, the water depth ratio, the Reynolds number, the
length aspect ratio of the dike, and the type of dike. (C) 1999 Elsevier Sc
ience B.V. All rights reserved.