Thermal theory for non-boussinesq gravity currents propagating on inclined boundaries
Journal
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Journal Volume
141
Journal Issue
1
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Dai, A.
Abstract
In this study the author derived the thermal theory for non-Boussinesq gravity currents produced from an instantaneous buoyancy source propagating on an inclined boundary. For Boussinesq gravity currents on a slope, it is known that the gravity current front location history follows an asymptotic relationship, xf3/2∼t, where xf is the front location, and t is the time, when the gravity current is sufficiently far into the deceleration phase. For non-Boussinesq gravity currents, the distance for the acceleration phase is extended attributable to the non-Boussinesq effects. When the gravity current is sufficiently far into the deceleration phase, this paper shows that the non-Boussinesq gravity currents tend to approach similar asymptote in the deceleration phase as Boussinesq gravity currents, but the approach is less rapid in non-Boussinesq gravity currents.
Type
journal article