Transition from Ripples to Dunes

Abstract

The bed forms generated by the flow of water over alluvial beds are predominantly treated in terms of stability concepts. These generally postulate a constant wavelength, and describe the variation of amplitude. Yet, the wavelength is one of the most variable parameters of these features. The features are also described as ripples, dunes, and antidunes. But there is no explanation on how ripples transform into dunes. On the basis of available data, this paper offers a description of the generation of ripples and their transformation into dunes.