Bore formation, evolution and disintegration into solitons in shallow inhomogeneous channels

Abstract. The propagation of nonlinear surface waves in channels of smoothly variable in space cross section is studied theoretically and by means of numerical computations. The mathematical model describing wave evolution is based on the generalized Korteweg-de Vries equation with additional terms due to spatial inhomogeneity and energy dissipation. Specifically we consider channels of variable depth and width. The breaking of Riemann waves and the disintegration of hydraulic jumps into trains of solitons have been examined. The results obtained can be useful in particular for the understanding some peculiarities of bore (mascaret) formation, viscous evolution and disintegration into solitons in inhomogeneous channels or rivers.