Experimental Apparatus for Roll-Wave Measurements and Comparison with a 1D Mathematical Model

Author(s)

Maciel, G. F. ^[1] ; Ferreira, F. O. ^[2] ; Cunha, E. F. ^[3] ; Fiorot, G. H. ^{[3, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Postgrad Program Mech Engn, Dept Civil Engn, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

^[2] Sao Paulo State Univ, Dept Civil Engn, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ, Postgrad Program Mech Engn, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

^[4] INSA Rennes, Lab Genie Civil & Genie Mecan, EA 3913, F-35700 Rennes - France

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; v. 143, n. 11 NOV 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

An experimental approach to examine the instabilities present on free surfaces of non-Newtonian fluid flow occurring in inclined channels is presented. When these flows occur in favorable conditions of inclination and discharge, it is observed that the propagation of instabilities can evolve into a specific type of wave, known as roll waves. The experimental apparatus developed allows simulation of stabilized roll waves in many scenarios for Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheology fluids, thereby constituting a highly useful approach for the understanding and control of roll waves. The fluid test for the non-Newtonian case used a gel rheometrically representative of the muddy material presented in natural disasters, such as mudflows. A low-cost, high-performance, and nonintrusive level measurement system (ultrasonic transducer) is proposed. A comparison between the experimental results obtained and a one-dimensional (1D) mathematical model exhibited good amplitude and wave-period estimations. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/25518-8 - Improvement of experimental apparatus dedicated to pulsating phenomena study in mudflows: experimental validation of cutting frequency
• Grantee: Geraldo de Freitas Maciel
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants