Internal waves are generated in stratified fluids, like the ocean, where density increases with depth. Tides are one of the major generation mechanisms of internal waves. As the tides move water back and forth over underwater topography, internal waves can be generated. The shape of the topography plays a major part in the properties of the generated internal wave and the type of wave and energy is known for multiple symmetric topographies, such as Gaussian or sinusoidal. In order to further understand the effects topographic shape plays, the effect of asymmetry on internal waves is investigated. First, two experimental methods are compared to evaluate which will capture the relevant information for comparing waves generated from oscillating asymmetric topographies. Two experimental methods are often used in internal wave research, Synthetic Schlieren (SS) and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Both SS and PIV experimental methods are used to analyze a set of experiments in a variety of density profiles and with a variety of topographies. The results from these experiments are then compared both qualitatively and quantitatively to decide which method to use for further research. In the setup, the larger field of view of SS results in superior resolution in wavenumber analysis, when compared to PIV. In addition, SS is 25% faster to setup and significantly cheaper. These are the deciding factors leading to the selection of SS as the preferred experimental method for further tests regarding tidally generated internal waves from asymmetric topographies. Previous experimental and theoretical research on tidally generated internal waves has most often used symmetric topographies. However, due to the complex nature of real ocean topography, the effect of asymmetry can not be overlooked. A few studies have shown that asymmetry can have a significant effect on internal wave generation, but topographic asymmetry has not been studied in a systematic manner up to this point. This work presents a comparison of tidally generated internal waves from nine different asymmetric topographies, consisting of a steeper Gaussian curve on one side, and a wider Gaussian curve on the other. The wider curve has varying amplitude from 1 to 0.6 of the steeper curve's amplitude, and two oscillation frequencies are explored. First, kinetic energy density in tidally generated internal waves is compared qualitatively and quantitatively, in both physical and Fourier space. When compared to similar symmetric topographies, the asymmetric topographies varied distinctly in the amount of internal wave kinetic energy generated. In general, internal wave kinetic energy generated from asymmetric topographies is higher for waves generated at a lower frequency than at a higher frequency. Also, kinetic energy is higher in internal waves on the relatively steeper side of the topography. There is very little kinetic energy in the higher wavenumbers, with most of the internal waves being generated at the lower wavenumbers. The amplitude does not make an appreciable difference in the wavenumber at which the internal waves are generated. Thus, the differences quantified here are due solely to changing slope, showing a significant impact of a relatively slight asymmetry.

Internal waves exist everywhere in stratified fluids - fluids whose density changes with depth. The two largest bodies of stratified fluid are the atmosphere and ocean. Internal waves are generated from a variety of mechanisms. One common mechanism is wind forcing over repeated sinusoidal topography, like a series of hills. When modeling these waves, linear theory has been employed due to its ease and low computational cost. However, recent research has shown that non-linear effects, such as boundary layer separation, may have a dramatic impact on wave generation. This research has consisted of experimentation on sloped, sinusoidal hills. As of yet, no experimental research has been done to characterize internal wave generation when repeated sinusoidal hills lie on a sloped surface such as a continental slope or a foothill. In order to perform this experiment, a laboratory was built which employed the synthetic schlieren method of wave visualization. Measurements were taken to find wind speed, boundary layer thickness, and density perturbation. From these data, an analysis was performed on wave propagation angle, wave amplitude, and pressure drag. The result of the analysis shows that when wind blows across a series of sloped sinusoidal hills, fluid becomes trapped in the troughs of the hills resulting in a lower apparent forcing amplitude. The generated waves contain less energy than linear predictions. Additionally, the sloped hills produce waves which propagate at an angle away from the viewer. A necessary correction, which shifts from the reference frame of the observer to the reference plane of the waves is described. When this correction is applied, it is shown that linear theory may only be applied for low Froude numbers. At high Froude numbers, the effect of the boundary layer is great enough that the wave characteristics deviate significantly from linear theory predictions. The analyzed data agrees well with previous studies which show a similar deviation from linear theory.

Internal waves are generated in stratified fluids, like the ocean, where density increases with depth. Tides are one of the major generation mechanisms of internal waves. As the tides move water back and forth over underwater topography, internal waves can be generated. Topography slope and amplitude are major factors in the behavior of the generated internal wave field. In order to further understand the effects topographic shape plays, the effect of asymmetry on internal waves is investigated. This research investigates internal waves generated by dual-ridge topographies. Four cases of symmetric topographies, T, M, W, and W2, with three different peak spacings are compared to their singular ridge counter parts at three oscillation frequencies, ω = 0.6N, ω = 0.75N, and ω = 0.9N. Both subcritical and supercritical symmetric ridges were investigated. Experiments were also performed for subcritical, asymmetric dual ridges at the middle oscillation frequency. The internal wave fields were captured with synthetic schlieren and analyzed with the Hilbert transform and sum of kinetic energy in wavenumber space. It is found that for wave fields from substantially separated ridges, mixing and wave interference occurs that decreases total kinetic energy of the system.