Resonant water-waves in ducts with different geometries: forced KdV solutions (Q6572776)

The manuscript investigates the dynamics of resonant water waves in ducts of varying geometries using solutions of the forced Korteweg-de Vries (fKdV) equation. The problem centres on understanding the behaviour of nonlinear resonantly forced waves in oscillating water channels, with a particular focus on the formation of soliton-like structures in channels of different shapes and sizes. This study draws upon the foundational work of \textit{E. A. Cox} and \textit{M. P. Mortell} [J. Fluid Mech. 162, 99--116 (1986; Zbl 0587.76027)], who showed that the behaviour of long-wavelength water waves subjected to resonance can be effectively described using the fKdV model, which incorporates small-amplitude nonlinear effects. The authors extend this model to examine a variety of duct geometries, which allows them to evaluate the model's robustness under different physical conditions and compare it with solutions derived from the fully nonlinear Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations.\N\NTo explore this scientific problem, the authors employed both numerical and experimental methods. Initially, they validated the fKdV model through comparison with results from prior studies, including Cox and Mortell's experiments with oscillating water channels [loc. cit]. The validation involved applying the fKdV equation to simulate the fluid surface elevation at resonance conditions within a controlled parameter range. This validation process confirmed that the model can successfully reproduce soliton and multi-soliton solutions under specific resonant conditions, as well as transition points between different soliton configurations. Following validation, the authors broadened their analysis by altering key parameters like channel geometry and forcing amplitude to observe how these changes impact the soliton behaviour predicted by the fKdV model. Furthermore, they employed a pseudo-spectral method for spatial discretisation combined with a fourth-order Runge-Kutta integration scheme to achieve stability and accuracy in their simulations. The study also utilised a fully nonlinear N-S model for comparative analysis, specifically examining the behaviour of fluid height oscillations within the BTU experimental setup and evaluating the model's applicability to a three-dimensional (3D) sloshing tank simulation.\N\NThe results presented in the manuscript underscore the efficacy of the fKdV model in capturing essential features of water-wave resonance phenomena across a broad parameter space. For instance, the authors observed that variations in channel geometry and forcing frequency lead to distinct transitions in soliton patterns, with the number of solitons inversely related to changes in specific parameters such as the tank length and amplitude. Interestingly, these soliton transitions exhibit exponential rather than power-law dependences, indicating that they do not follow the traditional cascade-like structure that typically characterises the development of chaotic solutions. Additionally, the fKdV solutions demonstrated a high level of qualitative agreement with the Navier-Stokes model outcomes, especially in terms of soliton structure and peak alignment, although some discrepancies in soliton count were noted, likely due to minor deviations in resonance frequency between the two models. In a separate experiment using a 3D rectangular tank, the authors found that, despite the model's inherent 2D assumptions, the fKdV equation could still approximate the resonance-driven soliton patterns observed in the 3D system, thereby highlighting its versatility even in non-ideal conditions.\N\NThis research is significant to the field of fluid dynamics, as it provides a comprehensive framework for predicting soliton behaviour in resonant water waves under various duct configurations. By demonstrating the robustness of the fKdV model, the study offers a reliable alternative for investigating nonlinear wave dynamics in practical engineering applications, such as designing water channels and understanding wave propagation in confined geometries. Additionally, the findings contribute to ongoing discussions about model selection in fluid mechanics by illustrating the potential limitations of the fKdV model when applied to non-standard configurations and suggesting avenues for future refinement, including comparisons with alternative models for forced oscillations in shallow-water environments. Overall, this study deepens our understanding of wave resonance phenomena and establishes a foundation for future experimental and theoretical studies aimed at enhancing the accuracy of wave prediction models.