| Abstract: | The results of an experimental study of nonlinear waves, both smooth and breaking, formed during the motion of a symmetric wing in a channel with a plane horizontal bottom are presented. It is found that if the wing velocity U
0 is close to the limiting speed c
2 of propagation of free solitary waves, then the following qualitative changes in the flow pattern take place. For U
0= c
2 and a strictly specified combination of the other relevant parameters, a forced solitary wave of limiting amplitude is formed above the wing. Behind the wing level depression gives way to elevation. If the blocking ratio is not too large, the waves do not propagate upstream for U
0 > c
2. If the blocking ratio is large, the disturbances can propagate far upstream even for U
0 > c
2; however, in this case the leading front of the disturbances breaks. |
