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Impulse wave run-over: experimental benchmark study for numerical modelling

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Abstract

This research intends to provide a detailed data basis for numerical modelling of impulse waves. Three tests are described involving a rectangular wave channel, in which a trapezoidal ‘breakwater’ was inserted to study wave run-over. In addition, a reference test is also described, in which the breakwater was removed. Two-dimensional impulse waves were generated by means of subaerial granular slides accelerated by a pneumatic landslide generator into the water body. Wave propagation and run-over over the artificial breakwater are documented by a set of high-quality photographs. Water surface profiles were recorded using capacitance wave gages upstream and downstream of the breakwater, and velocity vector fields were determined for the run-over zone by means of Particle Image Velocimetry. The measurements are compared with predictive formulae for wave features and wave non-linearity. The present data set involves both simple channel topography and wave features to allow for numerical simulations under basic laboratory conditions.

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Abbreviations

a :

Wave amplitude (L)

\( \overline{a} \) :

Test-averaged wave amplitude (L)

a M :

Maximum wave amplitude (L)

A M :

Relative maximum wave amplitude (–)

b :

Slide width (L)

c :

Wave celerity (LT−1)

c 1 :

Wave celerity of primary wave (LT−1)

c 2 :

Wave celerity of secondary wave (LT−1)

d g :

Grain diameter (L)

F :

Slide Froude number (–)

g :

Gravitational acceleration (LT−2)

h :

Still water depth (L)

H :

Wave height (L)

L :

Wave length (L)

m s :

Slide mass (M)

M :

Relative slide mass (–)

P :

Impulse product parameter (–)

s :

Slide thickness (L)

S :

Relative slide thickness (–)

t :

Time (T)

T :

Wave period (T)

T :

Wave type product (–)

U :

Ursell number (–)

v :

Particle displacement velocity (LT−1)

V s :

Slide impact velocity (LT−1)

\( {\rlap{-} V}_{\text{s}} \) :

Bulk slide volume (L3)

w :

Breakwater height (L)

x :

Streamwise coordinate (L)

x M :

Streamwise distance of maximum wave amplitude (L)

X M :

Relative distance of maximum wave amplitude (–)

z :

Vertical coordinate (L)

α :

Slide impact angle (°)

δ :

Dynamic bed friction angle (°)

Δt :

Temporal offset (T)

φ′:

Internal friction angle (°)

η :

Water surface displacement (L)

ξ :

Slide profile (L)

ρ g :

Grain density (ML−3)

ρ s :

Bulk slide density (ML−3)

CWG:

Capacitance wave gage

LDS:

Laser distance sensor

PIV:

Particle Image Velocimetry

rms:

Root-mean-square

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Acknowledgments

The first author was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Grant 200020_119717/1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology (VAW), ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland

    Helge Fuchs & Willi H. Hager

  2. School of Civil Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK

    Valentin Heller

Authors
  1. Helge Fuchs
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  2. Valentin Heller
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  3. Willi H. Hager
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Correspondence to Helge Fuchs.

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Fuchs, H., Heller, V. & Hager, W.H. Impulse wave run-over: experimental benchmark study for numerical modelling. Exp Fluids 49, 985–1004 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-010-0836-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-010-0836-x

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