Equations for small amplitude shallow water waves over small bathymetric variations

Abstract

A generalized version of the a b c d -Boussinesq class of systems is derived to accommodate variable bottom topography in two-dimensional space. This extension allows for the conservation of suitable energy functionals in some cases and enables the description of water waves in closed basins with well-justified slip–wall boundary conditions. The derived systems possess a form that ensures their solutions adhere to important principles of physics and mathematics. By demonstrating their consistency with the Euler equations and estimating their approximation error, we establish the validity of these new systems. Their derivation is based on the assumption of small bathymetric variations. With practical applications in mind, we assess the effectiveness of some of these new systems through comparisons with standard benchmarks. The results indicate that the assumptions made during the derivation are not overly restrictive. The applications of the new systems encompass a wide range of scenarios, including the study of tsunamis, tidal waves and waves in ports and lakes.