Comparison principles for free-surface flows with gravity

Abstract

This article considers certain two-dimensional, irrotational, steady flows in fluid regions of finite depth and infinite horizontal extent. Geometrical information about these flows and their singularities is obtained, using a variant of a classical comparison principle. The results are applied to three types of problems: (i) supercritical solitary waves carrying planing surfaces or surfboards, (ii) supercritical flows past ship hulls and (iii) supercritical interfacial solitary waves in systems consisting of two immiscible fluids.