A New Methodology for Generation of Solitary Water Waves in Laboratory

Abstract In this article, a very simple system based on the enhanced dam-break flows was proposed and implemented to generate solitary wave with larger relative wave height (the ratio of wave height to water depth) in a laboratory flume. The experimental results showed that stable waves with the solitary wave profiles were successfully generated in the wave flume. The wave surface elevations were recorded by a series of wave gauges, and the fluid velocity field of the solitary wave was measured by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. The measurements of solitary wave profile, celerity and horizontal fluid velocity were also compared with the predictions by three different solitary wave theories. Results demonstrated that the present simple system was reliable and effective for the generation of solitary waves in laboratory.