Numerical Analysis of Scott Russell’s wave using FVM and Overset Mesh

In this research, the effects of various parameters on system consisting of a heavy box sinking vertically into water have been studied. The classic configuration is due to Scott Russell who used the sinking box in 1844 to illustrate the formation of a solitary wave in a long rectangular tank. A FVM method has been used to solve the problem. The VOF method for wave profile and overset mesh for sinking the box into air and water, is used to clarify details of the wave and vortex formation. It was observed that as the box sinks the water is heaved up to form both the solitary wave and a vortex. This vortex follows the wave down the tank. The effects of box density, height of box and depth of water on the created wave height are effective. The simulation results are in satisfactory agreement with the experiments. The highest verification error was reported at 4 %. According to the results, with increasing density from 1800 to 3300 kg/m3 and box height from 0/4 to 0/55 m, wave height increased by 5/3 % and 10/2 %, respectively. In addition, with increasing water depth from 0/18 to 0/36 m, the wave height decreased by 2 % and the diameter of the resulting vortex decreased by 3/4 %. Therefore, the importance of impulsive waves in dam reservoirs with low depth and overlooking hills with high height is twofold, and these points should be considered by designers