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 free-surface profile, were measured using video-photographic and ultrasonic equipment, respectively. New features of viscous dam-break 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.