Author(s): J. F. A. Sleath

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Abstract: The fluid velocities close to a two-dimensionally rough bed in oscillatory flow are obtained by numerical solution of the equation of vorticity. It is observed that the fluid close to the bed drifts towards the crests and it is suggested that this provices a mechanism for the formation of vortex ripples by water waves. On the assumption that the ripples which form correspond to maximum fluid drift towards the crest, a theoretical relationship is derived for ripple wavelength in terms of the flow parameters. This relationship shows quite good agreement with experimental results for ripples when sediment exchange between adjacent crests is small.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221687509499705

Year: 1975