Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A model of Barchan dunes including lateral shear stress

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
The European Physical Journal E Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract.

Barchan dunes are found where sand availability is low and wind direction quite constant. The two dimensional shear stress of the wind field and the sand movement by saltation and avalanches over a barchan dune are simulated. The model with one dimensional shear stress is extended including surface diffusion and lateral shear stress. The resulting final shape is compared to the results of the model with a one dimensional shear stress and confirmed by comparison to measurements. We found agreement and improvements with respect to the model with one dimensional shear stress. Additionally, a characteristic edge at the center of the windward side is discovered which is also observed for big barchans. Diffusion effects reduce this effect for small dunes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • B. Andreotti, P. Claudin, S. Douady, Eur. Phys. J. B 28, 321 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • R.A. Bagnold, The physics of blown sand and desert dunes (Methuen, London, 1941)

  • J.P. Bouchaud, M.E. Cates, J. Ravi Prakash, S.F. Edwards, Hysteresis and metastability in a continuum sandpile model, J. Phys. I France 4, 1383 (1994)

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Coursin, Observations et expériences faites en avril et mai 1956 sur les barkhans du Souehel el Abiodh (région est de Port-Étienne), Bulletin de l’ I. F. A. N. 22 A, 989 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • H.J. Finkel, J. Geology 67, 614 (1959)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P.F. Fisher, P. Galdies, Computer and Geosciences 14, 229 (1988)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • S. Hastenrath, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 11, 300 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • S. Hastenrath, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie 31, 167 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • H.J. Herrmann, G. Sauermann, Physica A 283, 24 (2000)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P. Hersen, S. Douady, B. Andreotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 264301 (2002)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • P.A. Hesp, K. Hastings, Geomorphology 22, 193 (1998)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • A.D. Howard, J.B. Morton, Sedimentology 25, 307 (1978)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Jäkel, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie N.F. 24, 141 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Jimenez, L.P. Maia, J. Serra, J. Morais, Brazil. Sedimentology 46, 689 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Kocurek, M. Townsley, E. Yeh, K. Havholm, M.L. Sweet, J. Sedimentary Petrology 62, 622 (1992)

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Kroy, G. Sauermann, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 54301 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Lettau, H. Lettau, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie N.F. 13, 182 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Lettau, H. Lettau, Experimental and micrometeorological field studies of dune migration, in Exploring the world’s driest climate, edited by H.H. Lettau, K. Lettau (Madison, Center for Climatic Research, Univ. Wisconsin, 1978), pp. 110–147

  • H. Momiji, A. Warren, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 25, 1069 (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Nishimori, M. Yamasaki, K.H. Andersen, Int. J. Modern Physics B 12, 257 (1999)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Sarnthein, E. Walger, Geologische Rundschau 63, 1065 (1974)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Sauermann, Modeling of Wind Blown Sand and Desert Dunes, Ph.D. thesis, University of Stuttgart, 2001

  • G. Sauermann, J.S. Andrade, L.P. Maia, U.M.S. Costa, A.D. Araújo, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 1325, 1 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Sauermann, K. Kroy, H.J. Herrmann, Phys. Rev. E 64, 31305 (2001)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Sauermann, P. Rognon, A. Poliakov, H.J. Herrmann, Geomorphology 36, 47 (2000)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • V. Schwämmle, H.J. Herrmann, Modelling transverse dunes, cond-mat/0301589, 2003

  • M.C. Slattery, South African Geographical J. 72, 5 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Sørensen, Acta Mechanica (Suppl.) 1, 67 (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  • J.M.T. Stam, Sedimentology 44, 127 (1997)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • J.H. van Boxel, S.M. Arens, P.M. van Dijk, Earth Surf. Process. Landforms 24, 255 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • P.M. van Dijk, S.M. Arens, J.H. van Boxel, Earth Surf. Process. Landforms 24, 319 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • I.J. Walker, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 24, 437 (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  • W.S. Weng, J.C.R. Hunt, D.J. Carruthers, A. Warren, G.F.S. Wiggs, I. Livingstone, I. Castro, Acta Mechanica (Suppl.) 2, 1 (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  • G.F.S. Wiggs, I. Livingstone, A. Warren, Geomorphology 17, 29 (1996)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • F.K. Wippermann, G. Gross, Boundary Layer Meteorology 36, 319 (1986)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  • O. Zeman, N.O. Jensen, Progress report on modeling permanent form sand dunes, Risø National Laboratory, M-2738, 1988

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Computer Applications 1, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 27, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany

    V. Schwämmle & H. J. Herrmann

  2. Departamento de Física, Universidade Federal do Ceará, 60455-970, Fortaleza, Brazil

    H. J. Herrmann

Authors
  1. V. Schwämmle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. J. Herrmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to V. Schwämmle.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schwämmle, V., Herrmann, H. A model of Barchan dunes including lateral shear stress. Eur. Phys. J. E 16, 57–65 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2005-00007-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2005-00007-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation