Spatial Impulse Wave Generation and Propagation

Rapid landslides into water bodies may generate massive water waves posing a threat to riparian settlements and infrastructure. These waves are referred to as impulse waves and exhibit tsunami-like characteristics. The generation and, in particular, the spatial propagation of impulse waves were studied in a hydraulic laboratory wave basin. A videometric measurement system was applied to track the water surface displacement. Compared to fixed wave gauges typically applied in previous studies, this technique yields a quasi-continuous representation of the water surface, allowing for a detailed analysis of spatial propagation patterns. In total, 74 experiments with deformable mesh-packed slides were conducted, thereby varying the slide impact velocity, slide mass, slide thickness, slide width, slide impact angle, and still-water depth. Empirically derived prediction equations are presented and discussed for key wave characteristics, including wave amplitudes and celerities. In the context of a preliminary hazard assessment, these equations allow for the estimation of wave magnitudes at prototype scale.