Hydrodynamics induced by wind waves in a vegetation field

The wave-induced kinematics and dynamics of a submerged or emerged vegetati on field is analyzed. Using potential flow and an. eigenfunction expansion, the problem is solved considering regular as well as irregular incident wa ves. The model takes into account the vegetation motion and solves for the complete wave system on the vegetation field and in its vicinity. The model is validated against experimental laboratory data obtained by other author s, showing a much better agreement than previous theoretical models. In thi s paper the model is used to evaluate wave height evolution (damping), vege tation and fluid motion, and forces and moments on the vegetation. Furtherm ore, the inclusion of irregular waves provides force and moment distributio ns on the vegetation field depending on the wave climate statistics.