Fourth order evolution equations and stability analysis for Stokes waves on arbitrary water depth (Q580077)

Fourth order evolution equations have been derived for three-dimensional Stokes waves on arbitrary water depth. In deep water the equations reduce to those of \textit{K. B. Dysthe} [Proc. R. Soc. Lond., Ser. A 369, 105-114 (1979; Zbl 0429.76014)], and on finite depth the third order terms agree with those of \textit{D. J. Benney} and \textit{G. J. Roskes} [Stud. Appl. Math. 48, 377-385 (1969; Zbl 0216.529)], \textit{H. Hasimoto} and \textit{H. Ono} [J. Phys. Soc. Japan 33, 805-811 (1972)] and \textit{A. Davey} and \textit{K. Stewartson} [Proc. R. Soc. Lond., Ser. A 338, 101-110 (1974; Zbl 0282.76008)]. The results of the stability analysis for uniform waves based on the new arbitrary depth expressions are superior to those based on the finite depth approximation and they agree fairly well with the exact calculations of \textit{J. W. McLean} [J. Fluid Mech. 114, 331-341 (1982; Zbl 0494.76015)]. It is demonstrated that dimensionless water depth as well as wave steepness influences the applicability of the deep water stability expressions.