Scale Effects of Impulse Wave Run-Up and Run-Over

Abstract

Hydraulic models differing from prototype scale are affected by model effects. Despite these effects, which are often negligible, they may become important in very small scales involving, for instance, small water depths. A scale family is a convenient method to detect these effects in a new test setup to demonstrate the equipment applicability. The scale family investigated here involves a previously installed test setup concerning the impulse wave run-up and overland flow. Solitary waves as a typical wave type of slide-generated impulse waves were analyzed using a pneumatic piston-type wave generator. Free surface profiles were measured to investigate the maximum flow depths and the flow front velocities. The observed scale effects led to the definition of the minimum Reynolds and Weber numbers for the considered test setup, above which scale effects can be neglected.