Asymmetric Flow in Symmetric Supercritical Expansions

Abstract

A theory presented previously by the writer explained the asymmetric flow patterns occurring in symmetric rectangular expansions with subcritical flow. The theory is extended in the present paper to supercritical flows, in which the hydraulic jump is one of the flow features. The theory is shown to agree with available observations. Transverse oscillatory conditions are discussed in terms of a dynamic instability that can accompany static stability. The ranges for which experimental data are available with which to test the theory are identified, making it apparent where additional data would be useful for the full range of the problem. The phenomenological understanding provided by the present paper is important to the development of stabilization measures. In addition to stabilization by submergence, the hydraulic jump should be amenable to stabilization by other referenced methods, including various vane configurations and pipe communication between the eddy regions.