Author(s): Valentin Heller
Linked Author(s): Valentin Heller
Keywords: Froude scaling Landslide-tsunamis Navier-Stokes equations Scale effects Scale series Surface boundary condition
Abstract: Scale effects are a major limitation of small-scale laboratory experiments conducted with the Froude scaling laws. They are typically investigated with scale series, i. e. results from different sized experiments are compared. However, scale series tests can be expensive and time-consuming. This article covers some analytical considerations about scale effects, based on the dimensionless Navier-Stokes equations (NSEs) and surface boundary condition (SBC), to complement the scale series approach. The relative importances of the Reynolds number Re and Weber number We terms in relation to the Froude number Fr terms in the NSEs and SBC are quantified. It is then shown how these relations increase with increasing scale factor, which is related to an increase in scale effects. This provides some indications under which conditions scale effects due to Re and We become significant and helps to choose the most suited scale factor for scale series.
Year: 2025