Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T07:38:24.508Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

On the Mach reflexion of a solitary wave

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 April 2006

W. K. Melville
W. K. Melville
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Miles’ (1977b) model of the Mach reflexion of a solitary wave by a vertical wall is tested by laboratory experiments. The model over-predicts the measured run-up at the wall, and no evidence of the predicted maximum was found. The measurements provide support for the predicted critical angle of incidence at which Mach reflexion is replaced by regular reflexion. It is shown that mass and energy conservation determine the length of the reflected wave in Miles’ model and that this is not consistent with momentum conservation in the neighbourhood of the end point of the reflected wave. It is suggested that the discrepancy between the measurements and the model may result from this failure of the model.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , 29 May 1980 , pp. 285 - 297
Copyright
© 1980 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Chang, P., Melville, W. K. & Miles, J. W. 1979 On the evolution of a solitary wave in a gradually varying channel. J. Fluid Mech. 95, 401–414.Google Scholar
Chen, T. C. 1961 Experimental study on the solitary wave reflexion along a straight sloped wall at oblique angle of incidence. U.S. Beach Erosion Board Tech. Memo. no. 124.Google Scholar
Miles, J. W. 1977a Obliquely interacting solitary waves. J. Fluid Mech. 79, 157–169.Google Scholar
Miles, J. W. 1977b Resonantly interacting solitary waves. J. Fluid Mech. 79, 171–179.Google Scholar
Miles, J. W. 1977c Diffraction of solitary waves. Z. angew. Math. Phys. 28, 889–902.Google Scholar
Perroud, P. H. 1957 The solitary wave reflection along a straight vertical wall at oblique incidence. Ph.D. thesis, University of California, Berkeley.
Wiegel, R. L. 1964a Oceanographical Engineering. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
Wiegel, R. L. 1964b Water wave equivalent of Mach reflection. Proc. 9th Conf. Coastal Engng A.S.C.E., cha. 6, pp. 82–102. American Society of Civil Engineers.Google Scholar