Oscillating flows over periodic ripples

Abstract

Oscillating flows over periodic ripples are of practical as well as scientific interest because of their relevance to beach processes. When either the ripples are sufficiently steep or the amplitude of ambient oscillations large, streamlines of a viscous flow are no longer parallel to the ripple surface. Circulation cells are formed which can help redistribute suspended sediments. Here we study theoretically these cells for a low-viscosity fluid such as pure water over rigid ripples. In particular we have calculated cells whose dimensions are as large as the ripple wavelength and therefore represent viscous effects far above the usual Stokes boundary layer. An idea of Stuart which was originated for stationary mean circulations around a cylinder is extended here. For large ambient amplitude, large oscillating vortices drifting with the ambient flow are found by seeking the stationary cells in a moving coordinate system.