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On the evolution of roll waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 April 2006

C. Kranenburg
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology, PO Box 5048, 2600 GA Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract

An amplitude evolution equation is derived for roll waves that occur in a uniform open-channel flow down an incline. A periodic series of roll waves, which is a manifestation of the instability of high-velocity turbulent flow, is shown to be itself unstable to subharmonic disturbances. These disturbances develop into longer and higher roll waves. In this way roll waves tend to increase in size as time goes on, in agreement with experimental evidence.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1992 Cambridge University Press

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