Steep solitary waves in water of finite depth with constant vorticity

Abstract

Solitary waves with constant vorticity in water of finite depth are calculated numerically by a boundary integral equation method. Previous calculations are confirmed and extended. It is shown that there are branches of solutions which bifurcate from a uniform shear current. Some of these branches are characterized by a limiting configuration with a 120° angle at the crest of the wave. Other branches extend for arbitrary large values of the amplitude of the wave. The corresponding solutions ultimately approach closed regions of constant vorticity in contact with the bottom of the channel. A numerical scheme is presented to calculate directly these closed regions of constant vorticity. In addition, it is shown that there are branches of solutions which do not bifurcate from a uniform shear flow.