Horizontal Viscous Dam—Break Flow: Experiments and Theory

This paper considers dam-break flow occurring in a horizontal smooth channel. Experiments were carried out with highly viscous Newtonian fluids, e.g., glucose syrup–water solutions. The frontal shape of dam-break flow and its evolution, as well as the freesurface profile, were measured using video-photographic and ultrasonic equipment, respectively. New features of viscous dambreak flow are pointed out. Notably indicated are flow regimes and the effect of reservoir length as well as the effect of fluid viscosity on flow development. Equations describing dam-break flow are derived in nondimensional form, then compared with the results from experiments.