Introduction

Abstract

An introduction to Boussinesq theory for depth-averaged non-hydrostatic open-channel flows is given. A historical note is used to depict the development of this theory, starting with Boussinesq (1877) treatise, pursued and expanded by the developments of Fawer (1937), Serre (1953), Matthew (1963) and Peregrine (1966). The importance of non-hydrostatic depth-averaged free surface flow modeling is then discussed in the context of environmental fluid mechanics, including the problems of flows in control structures, seepage flows, flows in alluvial rivers, and water waves in coastal engineering, among others.