On the formation of current ripples

TY - JOUR

T1 - On the formation of current ripples

AU - Bartholdy, Jesper

AU - Ernstsen, Verner Brandbyge

AU - Flemming, Burg W.

AU - Winter, Christian

AU - Bartholomä, Alex

AU - Kroon, Aart

PY - 2015/6/12

Y1 - 2015/6/12

N2 - For grain sizes finer than coarse sand, the first flow-transverse bedforms to develop are current ripples. Although numerous studies have analysed different aspects of bedform morphodynamics, to date no comprehensive physical explanation for the formation of ripples has been given. We offer such an explanation based on a virtual boundary layer concept, and present a model predicting ripple height on the basis of grain size, current velocity and water depth. The model contradicts the conventional view of current ripples as bedforms not scaling with flow depth. Furthermore, it confirms the dependence of ripple dimensions on grain size, and their relative insensitivity to flow strength.

AB - For grain sizes finer than coarse sand, the first flow-transverse bedforms to develop are current ripples. Although numerous studies have analysed different aspects of bedform morphodynamics, to date no comprehensive physical explanation for the formation of ripples has been given. We offer such an explanation based on a virtual boundary layer concept, and present a model predicting ripple height on the basis of grain size, current velocity and water depth. The model contradicts the conventional view of current ripples as bedforms not scaling with flow depth. Furthermore, it confirms the dependence of ripple dimensions on grain size, and their relative insensitivity to flow strength.

U2 - 10.1038/srep11390

DO - 10.1038/srep11390

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 26065918

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 5

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 11390

ER -