The effects of drag on turbulent gravity currents

L. Hatcher*, A. J. Hogg, A. W. Woods

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We model the propagation of turbulent gravity currents through an array of obstacles which exert a drag force on the flow proportional to the square of the flow speed. A new class of similarity solutions is constructed to describe the flows that develop from a source of strength q 0t(γ). An analytical solution exists for a finite release, γ = 0, while power series solutions are developed for sources with γ > 0. These are shown to provide an accurate approximation to the numerically calculated similarity solutions. The model is successfully tested against a series of new laboratory experiments which investigate the motion of a turbulent gravity current through a large flume containing an array of obstacles. The model is extended to account for the effects of a sloping boundary. Finally, a series of geophysical and environmental applications of the model are discussed.

Translated title of the contributionThe effects of drag on turbulent gravity currents
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)297-314
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics
Volume416
Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2000

Bibliographical note

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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