Efficient computation of steady solitary gravity waves

An efficient numerical method to compute solitary wave solutions to the free surface Euler equations is reported. It is based on the conformal mapping technique combined with an efficient Fourier pseudo-spectral method. The resulting nonlinear equation is solved via the Petviashvili iterative scheme. The computational results are compared to some existing approaches, such as Tanaka’s method and Fenton’s high-order asymptotic expansion. Several important integral quantities are computed for a large range of amplitudes. The integral representation of the velocity and acceleration fields in the bulk of the fluid is also provided.     

Mesh effects on the computation of small amplitude water waves

Computational difficulties arise in the non-linear free-surface problem for water waves both at large amplitudes when the crest becomes nearly singular and at small amplitudes when the wave is very close to the alternative uniform flow solution. Since the limiting wavelengths for small amplitude waves are known from the Stokes linearized theory, these are used in checking results for finite-amplitude programs. When Southwell and Vaisey¹ first tried this, their methods gave an unexplained overestimate, by 6 per cent, of the limiting wavelength. This paper shows how coarse mesh effects can create such an overestimate, gives very accurate solutions at small amplitudes and considers accuracy in relation to the mesh for short and long waves.     

Numerical computation of transient shocked chemically reactive flows

Using the ability of the method of characteristics to evaluate shock fronts in an accurate manner, a formulation is presented which incorporates the effect of rapid exothermic chemical reactions in the flow. The formulation is applied to the computation of the unsteady reactive flow field behind a cylindrial expanding blast wave propagating in a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. Details of the computational procedure are described. Results are presented for a sample problem and compared with those for the non-reactive case to illustrate the influence of chemical reactions.     

Generation of free-surface gravity waves by an unsteady Stokeslet

The interaction of unsteady Stokeslets with the free surface of an initially quiescent incompressible fluid of infinite depth is investigated analytically for two- and three-dimensional cases. The disturbed flows are generated by an unsteady singular force moving perpendicularly downwards away from the surface. The analysis is based on the assumption that the motion satisfies the linearized unsteady Navier–Stokes equations with linear kinematic and dynamic boundary conditions. Firstly, the asymptotic representation for the transient free-surface waves due to an instantaneous Stokeslet is derived for a large time with a fixed distance-to-time ratio. As is well known, the corresponding inviscid waves predicted by the potential theory do not decay to zero as the time goes to infinity. In the present study, the transient waves predicted by the viscous theory eventually vanish due to the presence of viscosity, which is consistent with reality from the physical point of view. Secondly, the asymptotic solutions are obtained for the unsteady free-surface waves due to a harmonically oscillating Stokeslet. It is found that the unsteady waves can be decomposed into steady-state and transient responses. The steady state can be attained as time approaches infinity. It is shown that the viscosity of the fluid plays an important role in the evolution of the singularity-induced waves.     

The role of buoyancy–frequency oscillations in the generation of mountain gravity waves

There is evidence from balloon measurements that atmospheric buoyancy–frequency profiles, apart from a sharp increase (roughly by a factor of two) at the tropopause, often feature appreciable oscillations (typical wavelength 1–2 km) with altitude. It is argued here that such short-scale oscillatory variations of the background buoyancy frequency, which usually are ignored in theoretical models, can have a profound effect on the generation of mountain waves owing to a resonance mechanism that comes into play at certain wind speeds depending on the dominant oscillation wavelength. A simple linear model assuming small sinusoidal buoyancy–frequency oscillations suggests, and numerical solutions of the Euler equations for more realistic flow conditions confirm, that under resonant conditions the induced gravity-wave activity is significantly increased above and upstream of the mountain, similarly to resonant flow of finite depth over topography.      

Dispersion of linear gravity waves on a viscoelastic fluid in an horizontal canal

A characteristic equation is derived that describes the spatial decay of linear surface gravity waves on Maxwell fluids. Except at small frequencies, the derived dispersion relation is different from the temporal decay dispersion relation which is normally studied within fluid mechanics. The implications for waves on viscous Newtonian fluids using the two different dispersion relations is briefly discussed. The wave number is measured experimentally as function of the frequency in a horizontal canal. Seven Newtonian fluids and four viscoelastic liquids with constant viscosity have been used in the experiments. The spatial decay theory for Newtonian fluids fits well to the experimental data. The model and experiments are used to determine limits for the Maxwell fluid time numbers for the four viscoelastic liquids. As a result of low viscosity it was not possible within this study to obtain these time numbers from oscillatory experiments. Therefore, a comparison of surface gravity wave experiments with theory is applicable as a method to evaluate memory times of low viscosity viscoelastic fluids.     

On the propagation of a three-dimensional packet of weakly non-linear internal gravity waves

The evolution of a three-dimensional packet of weakly non-linear internal gravity waves propagating obliquely at an arbitrary angle to the vertical line is considered. Two coupled non-linear equations connecting variations of a packet amplitude and induced flows are derived. three-dimensionality of the packet having been found responsible for the non-linearity of the system. Explicit formulae for the induced flow vertical component and the mean density field variation caused by packet propagation have been obtained. The plane wave is shown to be unstable at any arbitrary slope of the wave vector. The non-linear equation describing the evolution of the two-dimensional packet is derived in the subsequent order of the asymptotic scheme.It has been found possible for the packet to collapse. The collapse of internal waves packets may be one of the possible mechanisms of “blini”-shaped regions of mixed waters formation in the ocean.     

Effect of gravity on the vibration of vertical cantilevers

The free vibration of a vertically-oriented, thin, prismatic cantilever is influenced by weight. That is, the natural frequencies (and to a lesser extent, mode shapes) are affected by the application of a linearly varying axial load. A beam with an “upward” orientation, i.e., with the free end above the clamped end, will experience a de-stiffening effect, up to the point of self-weight buckling (at zero effective stiffness). A beam in a “downward” orientation will be stiffened by the weight of the beam. This technical note describes some simple experiments on very slender strips and their (vertical) orientation and shows a close correlation with theory.     

Nonlinear vertical accelerations of a floating torus in regular waves

The longitudinal motions and vertical accelerations of a floating torus as well as wave motion inside the torus are studied by model tests in regular deep-water waves. Comparisons are made with linear and partly with second-order potential-flow theory for the smallest examined experimental wave height-to-wave length ratio 1/120. Reasonable agreement is obtained, in particular for the linear problem. The importance of 3D flow, hydroelasticity and strong hydrodynamic frequency dependency is documented. Experimental precision errors and bias errors, for instance, due to tank-wall interference are discussed. Numerical errors due to viscous effects are found to be secondary. Experiments show that the third and fourth harmonic accelerations of the torus matter and cannot be explained by a perturbation method with the wave steepness as a small parameter.     

Numerical study on wave propagation in a low-rigidity elastic medium considering the effects of gravity

We discuss the effects of vertical gravity force on wave propagation when a material is intermediate between solid and fluid, especially we focus on what kinds of phase are generated and how it propagates on the surface. We introduce gravity terms into the 2D linear finite element method in order to account for the contribution from the gravity. Numerical simulations are conducted for a half-space model and a two-layered, single horizontal layer overlain on a half-space, model. Both models are compared between the results including and excluding the viscosity. The fastest phase propagating from a surface point source, a leaking Rayleigh wave for usual elastic material, is transformed into an interesting phase including some common features to the gravity wave when the gravity effect becomes significant. The viscosity does not affect the fastest phases, whereas it affects other latter phases appearing only for the two-layered model.     

Oblique water entry of a wedge into waves with gravity effect

The hydrodynamic problem of a two dimensional wedge entering waves with gravity effect is analysed based on the incompressible velocity potential theory. The problem is solved through the boundary element method in the time domain. The stretched coordinate system in the spatial domain, which is based on the ratio of the Cartesian system in the physic space to the vertical distance the wedge has travelled into the water, is adopted based on the consideration that the decay of the effect of the impact away from the body is proportional to this ratio. The solution is sought for the total potential which includes both the incident and disturbed potentials, and decays towards the incident potential away from the body. A separate treatment at initial stage is used, in which the solution for the disturbed potential is sought to avoid the very large incident potential amplified by dividing the small travelled vertical distance of the wedge. The auxiliary function method is used to calculate the pressure on the body surface. Detailed results through the free surface elevation and the pressure distribution are provided to show the effect of the gravity and the wave, and their physical implications are discussed.     

The calculation of Green's functions in three dimensional hydrodynamic gravity wave problems

We have studied the problem of calculating Green's functions in three dimensional hydrodynamic gravity wave problems. A number of new expressions for these functions are presented for both finite and infinite depths. Various techniques for accelerating the convergence of some infinite series in these expressions are investigated and compared with the normal methods of evaluation. A significant improvement in the efficiency of the calculation is found using the results described in this paper.     

非结构网格质量对梯度重构及无粘流动模拟精度的影响

综合利用理论分析和数值测试手段,研究了非结构格心型有限体积离散中梯度重构算法的计算精度,分别给出了非结构算法中常用的基于Green-Gauss公式(GG方法)和基于Least squares方法(LSQ方法)的梯度重构方法达到至少一阶精度的条件。其中,GG方法在面积分低阶项不能互相抵消的情况下,要求面心插值精度达到至少二阶;而LSQ方法对于任意网格均能实现梯度重构一阶精度。在各向同性网格上的梯度重构精度数值测试验证了数学推导结论;进一步通过制造解方法量化无粘流动数值离散误差,结合网格收敛性测试研究了网格质量(网格点随机扰动、网格弯曲度和网格倾斜度等因素)以及网格类型(三角形和四边形)对无粘流动模拟精度的影响,验证了理论分析结论。     

A numerical study of the frontal region of gravity currents propagating on a free-slip boundary

We investigate numerically the three-dimensional flow near the head of gravity currents propagating along a free-slip boundary. The simulations show that two states are possible: a high-mixing state, where the flow departs from the analytic inviscid solution 0.5 channel heights downstream of the front location, and with characteristics similar to the ones observed for purely two-dimensional simulations; and a low-mixing state, where billows are weaker and appear further downstream. To access the high-mixing state, it is necessary to add a source of perturbation upstream of the head in the form of turbulence. At high values of the Reynolds number, the intensity of rms turbulent fluctuations necessary to switch to the high-mixing state is small (0.5% of the speed of propagation) and may explain why the low-mixing state has so far eluded experimental detection. In the low-mixing state, the flow becomes three-dimensional near the front due to centrifugal instabilities caused by the curved streamlines. This instability of the outer flow is coupled to overturning instabilities that develop within the heavy fluid in the head, and suppresses the formation of billows. This complex behavior, which feeds on the interplay of streamline curvature and stratification, should be considered a good model to understand how instabilities occur in other types of strongly nonlinear stratified flows.      

旋转加速度计重力梯度仪误差分析

安装误差和加速度计标度系数的不匹配对旋转加速度计重力梯度仪的分辨率影响很大。为此,用线性微扰方法对旋转加速度计重力梯度仪的测量方程求取变分,得到重力梯度仪的误差方程;对误差方程进行分析,得到安装误差各项对重力梯度仪输出的影响;同时,给出含有加速度计性能参数的重力梯度仪的误差方程。以澳大利亚FALCON旋转加速度计重力梯度仪为例,具体给出径向距离误差、切向误差角等大小值。     

Finite amplitude elastic waves due to non-uniform traction at the surface of a cylindrical cavity

This paper is concerned with two spatial dimension, finite amplitude wave propagation emanating from the surface of an initially circular cylindrical cavity in an unbounded isotropic compressible isotropic hyperelastic solid. The solid is initially in the natural reference configuration and the wave propagation is due to an azimuthally non-uniform, sudden application of compressive nominal traction at the surface of the cavity. Governing equations for the problem are obtained in Lagrangian form in terms of cylindrical polar coordinates and two different classes of strain energy functions are considered. Numerical solutions, for a particular application of traction, are obtained from a fully explicit finite difference scheme. It was found that the responses to the particular application of traction differed negligibly for the various strain energy functions considered.     

Discrete element modelling for wheel-soil interaction and the analysis of the effect of gravity

The discrete element method (DEM) is widely seen as one of the more accurate, albeit more computationally demanding approaches for terramechanics modelling. Part of its appeal is its explicit consideration of gravity in the formulation, making it easily applicable to the study of soil in reduced gravity environments. The parallel particles (P²) approach to terramechanics modelling is an alternate approach to traditional DEM that is computationally more efficient at the cost of some assumptions. Thus far, this method has mostly been applied to soil excavation maneuvers. The goal of this work is to implement and validate the P² approach on a single wheel driving over soil in order to evaluate the applicability of the method to the study of wheel-soil interaction. In particular, the work studies how well the method captures the effect of gravity on wheel-soil behaviour. This was done by building a model and first tuning numerical simulation parameters to determine the critical simulation frequency required for stable simulation behaviour and then tuning the physical simulation parameters to obtain physically accurate results. The former were tuned via the convergence of particle settling energy plots for various frequencies. The latter were tuned via comparison to drawbar pull and wheel sinkage data collected from experiments carried out on a single wheel testbed with a martian soil simulant in a reduced gravity environment. Sensitivity of the simulation to model parameters was also analyzed. Simulations produced promising data when compared to experiments as far as predicting experimentally observable trends in drawbar pull and sinkage, but also showed limitations in predicting the exact numerical values of the measured forces.     

Parametric instability of gravity waves on the surface of deep water

We propose to investigate the characteristics of the parametric generation of gravity waves on the surface of a body of deep water. The threshold conditions for the onset of generation are determined, and the results are compared with the experimental data. The singularities of the excitation of parametric oscillations in a resonator are noted.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Mekhaniki i Tekhnicheskoi Fiziki, No. 3, pp. 182–185, May–June, 1972.The authors are grateful to V. N. Pshenichnikov for assisting with the experiments.     

An experimental investigation on the effects of surface gravity waves on the water evaporation rate in different air flow regimes

Estimating rate of evaporation from undisturbed water surfaces to moving and quiet air has been the topic a vast number of research activities. The obvious presence of various shapes of gravity waves on the water body surfaces was the motivation of this experimental investigation. In this investigation experimental measurements have been done to quantify evaporation rate from wavy water surfaces in free, mixed and forced convection regimes. The effects of a wide range of surface gravity waves from low steepness, round shaped crest with slow celerity, to steep and very slight spilling crest waves, on the water evaporation rate have been investigated. A wide range of ${\text{Gr}}/{\text{Re}}^{2} (0.01 \le {\text{Gr}}/{\text{Re}}^{2} \le 100)$ was achieved by applying different air flow velocities on a large heated wave flume equipped with a wind tunnel. Results reveal that wave motion on the water surface increase the rate of evaporation for all air flow regimes. For free convection, due to the effect of wave motion for pumping rotational airflows at the wave troughs and the dominant effect of natural convection for the air flow advection, the maximum evaporation increment percentage from wavy water surface is about 70 %. For mixed and forced convection, water evaporation rate increment is more sensitive to the air flow velocity for the appearance of very slight spilling on the steep wave crests and the leeward air flow structures.