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Effect of wind turbulence on wave generation over a viscous liquid

R. Mathis1, S. Cazin1, J. Methel1, F. Charru1, J. Magnaudet1, F. Moisy2, and M. Rabaud2

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Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064804 – Published 26 June, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/7dxt-dk3t

Abstract

When wind blows over the surface of a viscous liquid, a clear transition from irregular small-amplitude streamwise-oriented wrinkles to well-defined nearly two-dimensional regular waves is observed at a critical wind velocity. We examine how free-stream turbulence in the air influences the growth of wrinkles and regular waves, as well as the transition between these two regimes. Experiments are carried out in a wind tunnel, in which air is blown over a tank filled with silicone oil whose viscosity is 50 times higher than that of water. The free-stream turbulence is enhanced using upstream grids, achieving relative turbulence intensities up to 8%. Surface deformations are measured using free-surface synthetic Schlieren with micrometer accuracy. Velocity measurements are performed using hot-wire anemometry above the interface and particle image velocimetry in the liquid. Results reveal two primary effects of grid-enhanced free-stream turbulence: an increase in the wrinkle amplitude and a reduction in the critical wind speed at the onset of regular waves. Nevertheless, the wrinkle-wave transition still corresponds to an approximately constant friction velocity. We also observe a nonmonotonic evolution of the wave amplitude with fetch, which we rationalize using a wave energy balance model that accounts for the downstream decrease in friction velocity.

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Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064804– Published 26 June, 2026
  • Received 21 January 2026
  • Accepted 12 May 2026
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