Higher-order modulation theory for resonant flow over topography

Abstract

The flow of a fluid over isolated topography in the long wavelength, weakly nonlinear limit is considered. The upstream flow velocity is assumed to be close to a linear long wave velocity of the unforced flow so that the flow is near resonant. Higher order nonlinear, dispersive and nonlinear-dispersive terms beyond the Korteweg-de Vries approximation are included so that the flow is governed by a forced extended Korteweg-de Vries equation. Modulation theory solutions for the undular bores generated upstream and downstream of the forcing are found and used to study the influence of the higher-order terms on the resonant flow, which increases for steeper waves. These modulation theory solution..