Positive surge propagating in an asymmetrical canal

Abstract

A positive surge is an unsteady open channel flow motion characterised by a sudden rise in water surface elevation. The literature is focused primarily on rectangular channels. Herein, the free-surface features of positive surges propagating upstream were investigated in an asymmetrical canal. The surge propagation was a three-dimensional unsteady flow motion, resulting in a complicated transient secondary motion compared to positive surge propagating in rectangular canals. The present results may be relevant to surge propagation in man-made trapezoidal canals and natural irregular-shaped channels.