A Modern Introduction To The Mathematical Theory Of Water Waves

This text considers classical and modern problems in linear and non-linear water-wave theory.

This book is a self-contained introduction to the theory of periodic, progressive, permanent waves on the surface of incompressible inviscid fluid. The problem of permanent water-waves has attracted a large number of physicists and mathematicians since Stokes' pioneering papers appeared in 1847 and 1880. Among many aspects of the problem, the authors focus on periodic progressive waves, which mean waves traveling at a constant speed with no change of shape. As a consequence, everything about standing waves are excluded and solitary waves are studied only partly. However, even for this restricted problem, quite a number of papers and books, in physics and mathematics, have appeared and more will continue to appear, showing the richness of the subject. In fact, there remain many open questions to be answered. The present book consists of two parts: numerical experiments and normal form analysis of the bifurcation equations. Prerequisite for reading it is an elementary knowledge of the Euler equations for incompressible inviscid fluid and of bifurcation theory. Readers are also expected to know functional analysis at an elementary level. Numerical experiments are reported so that any reader can re-examine the results with minimal labor: the methods used in this book are well-known and are described as clearly as possible. Thus, the reader with an elementary knowledge of numerical computation will have little difficulty in the re-examination.

Offers an integrated account of the mathematical hypothesis of wave motion in liquids with a free surface, subjected to gravitational and other forces. Uses both potential and linear wave equation theories, together with applications such as the Laplace and Fourier transform methods, conformal mapping and complex variable techniques in general or integral equations, methods employing a Green's function. Coverage includes fundamental hydrodynamics, waves on sloping beaches, problems involving waves in shallow water, the motion of ships and much more.

This book is based on an undergraduate course taught at the IAS/Park City Mathematics Institute (Utah) on linear and nonlinear waves. The first part of the text overviews the concept of a wave, describes one-dimensional waves using functions of two variables, provides an introduction to partial differential equations, and discusses computer-aided visualization techniques. The second part of the book discusses traveling waves, leading to a description of solitary waves and soliton solutions of the Klein-Gordon and Korteweg-deVries equations. The wave equation is derived to model the small vibrations of a taut string, and solutions are constructed via d'Alembert's formula and Fourier series.The last part of the book discusses waves arising from conservation laws. After deriving and discussing the scalar conservation law, its solution is described using the method of characteristics, leading to the formation of shock and rarefaction waves. Applications of these concepts are then given for models of traffic flow. The intent of this book is to create a text suitable for independent study by undergraduate students in mathematics, engineering, and science. The content of the book is meant to be self-contained, requiring no special reference material. Access to computer software such as MathematicaR, MATLABR, or MapleR is recommended, but not necessary. Scripts for MATLAB applications will be available via the Web. Exercises are given within the text to allow further practice with selected topics.

Offers an integrated account of the mathematical hypothesis of wave motion in liquids with a free surface, subjected to gravitational and other forces. Uses both potential and linear wave equation theories, together with applications such as the Laplace and Fourier transform methods, conformal mapping and complex variable techniques in general or integral equations, methods employing a Green's function. Coverage includes fundamental hydrodynamics, waves on sloping beaches, problems involving waves in shallow water, the motion of ships and much more.

The proceedings featured in this book grew out of a conference attended by 40 applied mathematicians and physicists which was held at the International Center for Research in Mathematics in Luminy, France, in May 1995. This volume reviews recent developments in the mathematical theory of water waves. The following aspects are considered: modeling of various wave systems, mathematical and numerical analysis of the full water wave problem (the Euler equations with a free surface) and of asymptotic models (Korteweg-de Vries, Boussinesq, Benjamin-Ono, Davey-Stewartson, Kadomtsev-Petviashvili, etc.), and existence and stability of solitary waves.

A range of experts contribute introductory-level lectures on active topics in the theory of water waves.