Document type
Journal articles
Document subtype
Full paper
Title
The propagation of gravity currents in a V-shaped triangular cross-section channel: experiments and theory
Participants in the publication
Ungarish M (Author)
Mériaux CA (Author)
IDL
Kurz-Besson CB (Author)
IDL
Summary
We investigate the motion of high-Reynolds-number gravity currents (GCs) in a horizontal channel of V-shaped cross-section combining lock-exchange experiments and a theoretical model. While all previously published experiments in V-shaped channels were performed with the special configuration of the full-depth lock, we present the first part-depth experiment results. A fixed volume of saline, that was initially of length and height in a lock and embedded in water of height in a long tank, was released from rest and the propagation was recorded over a distance of typically . In all of the tested cases the current displays a slumping stage of constant speed over a significant distance , followed by a self-similar stage up to the distance , where transition to the viscous regime occurs. The new data and insights of this study elucidate the influence of the height ratio and of the initial Reynolds number , on the motion of the triangular GC; and are the reduced gravity and kinematic viscosity coefficient, respectively. We demonstrate that the speed of propagation scaled with increases with , while decreases with , and . The initial propagation in the triangle is 50 % more rapid than in a standard flat-bottom channel under similar conditions. Comparisons with theoretical predictions show good qualitative agreements and fair quantitative agreement; the major discrepancy is an overpredicted , similar to that observed in the standard flat bottom case.
Where published
JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS
Publication Identifiers
ISSN - 0022-1120
Starting page
232
Last page
249
Document Identifiers
DOI -
https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2014.396
Rankings
SCIMAGO Q1 (2018) - 1.671 - Mechanics of Materials
SCOPUS Q1 (2017) - 1.591 - Mechanics of Materials
Web Of Science Q1 (2018) - 3.137 - PHYSICS, FLUIDS & PLASMAS - SCIE