Supersonic flow investigations with a “hydraulic analogy” water channel

Abstract

SummmaryThis paper describes the construction of a water channel in the University of Bristol for the investigation of the analogy between the two-dimensional flow of a gas and that of shallow water with a free surface. Both continuous and discontinuous flow were examined, with a view to determining the limitations of the analogy.Continuous “ shooting “ water flow was found to be reasonably analogous with supersonic isentropic gas flow, a static depth of about half an inch appearing to be satisfactory with this particular channel. No independent check was made of the agreement, or otherwise, between “streaming” water flow and subsonic gas flow, since the method of checking used was the measurement of the angle of the waves formed on the water surface, and such waves exist only in “ shooting” flow.