Topographic Effects in Stratified Flows

Explore the nature of density-stratified flow over and around topography, including applications to the flow of the atmosphere and ocean.

Peter G. Baines (Author)

9781108722902, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 27 January 2022

558 pages
24.4 x 17 x 2.6 cm, 1.03 kg

Covering both theory and experiment, this text describes the behaviour of homogeneous and density-stratified fluids over and around topography. Its presentation is suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in fluid mechanics, as well as for practising scientists, engineers, and researchers. Using laboratory experiments and illustrations to further understanding, the author explores topics ranging from the classical hydraulics of single-layer flow to more complex situations involving stratified flows over two- and three-dimensional topography, including complex terrain. A particular focus is placed on applications to the atmosphere and ocean, including discussions of downslope windstorms, and of oceanic flow over continental shelves and slopes. This new edition has been restructured to make it more digestible, and updated to cover significant developments in areas such as exchange flows, gravity currents, waves in stratified fluids, stability, and applications to the atmosphere and ocean.

1. Background
2. Nonlinear single-layer flow: classical hydraulics
3. Nonlinear single-layer flow past obstacles – jumps, bores and wave dispersion
4. Two-layer flow with jumps and topography
5. Two-layer and stratified flow through contractions
6. Exchange flows
7. Gravity currents, downslope and anabatic flows, and stratified hydraulic jumps
8. Waves in stratified fluids
9. The stability of stratified flows
10. Stratified flow over two-dimensional obstacles – linear and near-linear theory
11. Stratified flow over two-dimensional obstacles – nonlinear hydraulic models with applications
12. Stratified flow over three-dimensional topography – linear theory
13. Three-dimensional stratified flow over finite obstacles
14. Flow over complex and realistic terrain in the atmosphere and ocean
15. Applications to practical modelling of flow over complex terrain
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Geophysics [PHVG], Dynamics & statics [PHDT], Fluid mechanics [PHDF]