Oscillations in a Viscous Liquid with an Application to Tidal Motion

Abstract

Oscillatory laminar flow is considered in a liquid consisting of two superposed layers of different densities and viscosities, and the steady second order drift velocity outside the boundary layer is calculated for various density and viscosity ratios and heights of interface above the boundary. When the layer next to the boundary is the more viscous, and the density difference negligible, then the drift velocity exceeds Schlichting's value for a uniform liquid. The model is related to the motion of sediment layers in tidal estuaries, and a general landward drift of sediment is deduced. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1961.tb00067.x