| A two-dimensional, full-field, quantitative, visualization technique was developed to assess the flow dynamics, and mixing behaviour associated with gravity current heads flowing over rough surfaces. Small-scale saltwater modelling, laser-induced fluorescence and digital image processing were combined in this technique to analyze the effects of surface roughness on the downstream spread and dilution rates of these flows.;This research was completed in three phases: (1) to development of the modelling, visualization and analysis techniques, (2) the validation of these techniques using published results from well-documented, smooth-surface flow studies and (3) the evaluation of how well the published smooth-surface flow theory extends to rough-surface flows in an effort to develop now rough-surface flow models. To this end, the influences of surface roughness scale and source fluid density excess on gravity current flow dynamics and head dilution were examined. The results of this work should have potential contributions to the area of heavier-than-air gas (HTAG) dispersion modelling. |
