Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-19T06:21:50.628Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Resonantly interacting solitary waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2006

John W. Miles
Affiliation:
Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, La Jolla

Abstract

Resonant (phase-locked) interactions among three obliquely oriented solitary waves are studied. It is shown that such interactions are associated with the parametric end points of the singular regime for interactions between two solitary waves. The latter include regular reflexion at a rigid wall, which is impossible for ϕi < (3α)½ (ϕ = angle of incidence, α = amplitude/depth [Lt ] 1), and it is shown that the observed phenomenon of ‘Mach reflexion’ can be described as a resonant interaction in this regime. The run-up at the wall is calculated as a function of ϕi/(3α)½ and is found to have a maximum value of 4αd for ϕi = (3α)½. This same resonant interaction also describes diffraction of a solitary wave at a corner of internal angle π − ψi, −(3α)½, and suggests that a solitary wave cannot turn through an angle in excess of (3α)½ at a convex corner without separating or otherwise losing its identity.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1977 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

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
Kaup, D. J. 1976 The three-wave interaction – a nondispersive phenomenon. Studies in Appl. Math. 55, 944.Google Scholar
Miles, J. W. 1977 Obliquely interacting solitary waves. J. Fluid Mech. 79, 157169.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. Prentice-Hall.
Wiegel, R. L. 1964b Water wave equivalent of Mach reflection. Proc. 9th Conf. Coastal Engng, A.S.C.E. chap. 6, pp. 82102.Google Scholar