Numerical Solution of Lock-Release Gravity Current with Viscous Self-Similar Regime

Lock-release gravity currents with a viscous self-similar regime are simulated by use of the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε model for Reynolds-stress closure. Besides the turbulent regime with initially a slumping phase of a constant current front speed and later an inviscid self-similar phase of front speed decreasing as t -1/3 (where t is the time measured from release), the viscous self-similar regime is satisfactorily reproduced with front speed decreasing as t -4/5, consistent with well known experimental observations.