The dynamics of the head of a gravity current advancing over a horizontal surface-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

The dynamics of the head of a gravity current advancing over a horizontal surface

Published:1979-10-16 Issue:3 Volume:94 Page:477-495
ISSN:0022-1120
Container-title:Journal of Fluid Mechanics
language:en
Short-container-title:J. Fluid Mech.

Author:

Simpson J. E.,Britter R. E.

Abstract

The motion behind the head of a gravity current advancing over a no-slip horizontal surface is a complex three-dimensional flow. There is intense mixing between the current and its surroundings and the foremost part of the head is raised above the surface. Experimental results are obtained from (i) an apparatus in which the head is brought to rest by using an opposing flow and a moving floor and (ii) a modified lock exchange flow. The dimensionless velocity of advance, rate of mixing between the two fluids and the depth of the mixed layer left behind the head and above the following gravity current are determined for an extended range of the dimensionless gravity current depth. The mixing between the two fluids is the result of gravitational and shear instabilities at the gravity current head. A semi-empirical analysis is presented to describe the results. The influence of Reynolds number is discussed and comparison with a documented atmospheric flow is presented.

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Subject

Mechanical Engineering,Mechanics of Materials,Condensed Matter Physics

Reference23 articles.

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4. Keulegan, G. H. 1957 An experimental study of the motion of saline water from locks into fresh water channels.U.S. Nat. Bur. Stand. Rep. no. 5168.

5. Turner, J. S. 1973 Buoyancy Effects in Fluids. Cambridge University Press.

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