Traveling surface wave propagation on shallow water with variable bathymetry and current

TL;DR

This paper develops a general algorithm using the Laplace cascade method to analyze reflectionless wave propagation in inhomogeneous shallow water channels with variable bathymetry and currents.

Contribution

It introduces a novel algorithm for identifying parameters of inhomogeneous reflectionless flows in shallow water wave propagation.

Findings

The algorithm successfully models long linear surface wave propagation.

Representative solutions demonstrate minimal reflection in variable bathymetry.

Results can inform mitigation strategies for wave impact on marine structures.

Abstract

Energy transmission over long distances by waves is a key mechanism for many natural processes. This possibility arises when an inhomogeneous medium is arranged in such a manner that it enables a certain type of wave to propagate with virtually no reflection or scattering. By application of the Laplace cascade method for integrating second-order hyperbolic equations, a general algorithm for finding the parameters of inhomogeneous reflectionless flows is proposed. The algorithm is applied to the problem of long linear surface waves propagation in a channel with variable cross-section. The general analysis of the problem is illustrated by a few representative solutions and compared with the results of previous studies. The results obtained may be of interest to mitigate the possible impact of waves on ships, marine engineering constructions, and human coastal activities.