Spectral analysis of wave elevation time histories using multi-taper method

The estimation of spectral characteristics of a wave elevation time-history is essential for engineers and scientists to understand the nature of waves. In this study, the spectral characteristics of wave elevation time histories, measured in laboratory experiments, were derived using multi-taper method (MTM). The time histories were also subjected to conventional fast Fourier transform (FFT), and the spectral characteristics estimated using FFT were compared with estimates obtained through MTM. The study suggests the spectral estimates obtained from MTM is better than FFT. The frequencies and zeroth spectral moments estimated through MTM are found to be in agreement with target values and with the values obtained from FFT.