Occurrence of standing surface gravity waves modulation in shallow water

Arising of modulations of surface gravity waves in a shallow water resonator under harmonic forcing is investigated in laboratory experiments. Different types of modulations are found, when the wave amplitude exceeds a certain threshold. Bifurcation diagram on the plane "amplitude of excitation frequency of excitation" is determined. Numerical simulations of the Euler equations within the frameworks of the High-Order Spectral Method are performed with the purpose of reproducing the modulational regimes observed in the laboratory experiments. The simulations allowed us to determine physical mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of modulated waves. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.