Pattern dynamics of vortex ripples in sand: Nonlinear modeling and experimental validation

Abstract

Pattern dynamics of vortex ripples in sand were studied experimentally in a one-dimensional setup with periodic boundary conditions. The nonlinear evolution was analyzed in the framework of a model developed for homogenous patterns. The interaction function describing the mass transport between neighbouring ripples was obtained from a experimental method for data analysis. The width of the stable band of ripples was measured and an analytic explanation of the wavelength selection mechanism in the model was provided.