Modal decomposition of linearized open channel flow (Q2268208)

From the text: We consider in this paper an open channel represented by the Saint-Venant equations linearized around a non uniform steady flow regime. We use a frequency domain approach to fully characterize the open channel flow dynamics. The use of the Laplace transform enables us to derive the distributed transfer matrix, linking the boundary inputs to the state of the system. The approach developed in this paper is based on the poles of the system, which enable to fully characterize its dynamic behavior. The study is focused on the linearized equations, which capture the dynamics around stationary regimes. We provide a complete characterization in the uniform flow case, where closed-form solutions are available, and extend the results to the non uniform case using a numerical approach. We show that the non uniform flow case is mathematically speaking very close to the uniform case, even if closed-form solutions are no longer available. This opens the way to a proper classification of open channel flow characteristics, which could be based on the modal decomposition proposed in this pape. The solution is studied and illustrated on two different canal pools.