Research Project

The flow beneath a surface water wave

Project type: Research Project
Programme: Mathematics and...
Call: Mathematik und ... Call 2009
Start: 01.11.2009
Duration: 4,00 years
Grant awarded: 452.900 €
Keywords: water waves, Euler equations, vorticity, particle paths, pressure, wave interaction

Adrian Constantin

University of Vienna
Department of Mathematics

Project partners: Torsten Schlurmann (Universität Hannover, Franzius - Institut für Wasserbau und Küsteningenieurwesen)

The purpose of the project is to elucidate the flow pattern beneath a surface water wave train. Some of the most fundamental questions arising are:
1) What is the effect of an underlying current on the shape of the surface waves?
2) Can one describe the motion of individual particles? What is the role of a current?
3) Where in the fluid is the pressure minimal/maximal?
4) Investigation of tsunamis.
The project is multi-disciplinary since theoretical advances have to be confirmed and are often motivated by experiments. We expect that recent advances in nonlinear analysis will enable far-reaching mathematical studies performed by the research group funded through the project and working in Vienna. The experimental part will take place at the Franzius Institute in Hannover, where the largest wave-tank in the world is located.

« back