Investigation of Directional Spreading of Waves in Relatively Shallow Water

The directional spreading of waves is investigated for relatively shallow water (20m depth) wave data, collected with acoustic current profilers, along the Atlantic Coast of South America. Values for the wave kinematics or wave spreading factor, recommended by API and ISO for reduction of in-line particle velocities and accelerations under waves due to directional spreading, are calculated in order to allow judgement of approximate values that can be used in shallow water regions for practical design applications.