1

Lecture Notes on Fluid Dynamics

(1.63J/2.21J)
by Chiang C. Mei, 2002

7-8-2layer.tex
Refs:
Csandy: Circulation in the Coastal Ocean
Cushman-Rosin, Intro to Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

7.8 Transient motion in a two-layered sea

7.8.1 Shallow water approximation

Figure 7.8.1: A two-layered sea of contant depth.

Let h be the mean depth and U, V be the depth-integrated fluxes in the upper layer, and
h0 , U 0 , V 0 be the corresponding quantities in the lower layer. Let ζ and ζ 0 be the vertical
displacements of the free surface and interface respectively. Then
Z 0 Z −h
0 0
(U, V ) = (u, v)dz, (U , V ) = (u0 , v 0 )dz, (7.8.1)
−h −h−h0

For shallow layers, we have hydrostatic pressure in the upper layer:

p = ρg(ζ − z) (7.8.2)

On the interface, z = −h + ζ 0 ,
p = ρg(ζ + h − ζ 0 ) (7.8.3)
2

In order that pressure is continuous on the interface we must have in the lower layer
p0 = ρg(ζ + h − ζ 0 ) + ρ0 g(−h + ζ 0 − z) (7.8.4)
Thus
∂p ∂ζ
= ρg (7.8.5)
!
∂x ∂x
∂p 0
∂ζ ∂ζ 0
∂ζ 0 ∂ζ ∂ζ 0
= ρg − + ρ0 g = ρg + (ρ0 − ρ)g (7.8.6)
∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x ∂x
The depth-integrated momentum equations in the upper layer are
∂U 1 ∂p ∂ζ τS
− fV = − = −gh + x (7.8.7)
∂t ρ ∂x ∂x ρ
∂V 1 ∂p ∂ζ τyS
+ fU = − = −gh + (7.8.8)
∂t ρ ∂y ∂y ρ
∂(ζ − ζ 0 ) ∂U ∂V
+ + =0 (7.8.9)
∂t ∂x ∂y
after using (7.8.2). Ignoring shear stresses on the interface and at the bottom, we have, for
the lower layer,
∂U 0 1 ∂p0 ρ ∂ζ ∂ζ 0
− fV 0 = − 0 = −gh0 0 − gh0 (7.8.10)
∂t ρ ∂x ρ ∂x ∂x
∂V 0 0 1 ∂p0 0 ρ ∂ζ 0 ∂ζ
0
+ fU = − 0 = −gh 0 − gh (7.8.11)
∂t ρ ∂y ρ ∂y ∂y
∂ζ 0 ∂U 0 ∂V 0
+ + =0 (7.8.12)
∂t ∂x ∂y
where (7.8.2) has been used. The density contrast
ρ0 − ρ
= (7.8.13)
ρ0
is usually small in oceans.
There six equations for six unknowns : ζ, U, V, ζ 0, U 0 , and V 0 . As in the last section we can
eliminate some unknowns and reduce the number of equations. For example, by eliminating
U, V in the upper layer, we can get
∂τxS ∂τ S ∂τyS ∂τ S
! ! !
∂ ∂2 ∂ζ 1∂ f
+ f 2 (ζ − ζ 0 ) − gh∇2 =− + y − − x (7.8.14)
∂t ∂t 2 ∂t ρ ∂t ∂x ∂y ρ ∂x ∂y
Similarly by eliminating U 0 , V 0 in the lower layer we get,
!
∂ ∂2 2 0 0ρ 2 ∂ζ 0 2 ∂ζ
0
+ f ζ − gh ∇ − gh ∇ =0 (7.8.15)
∂t ∂t2 ρ0 ∂t ∂t
These two govern the coupled behavior of ζ and ζ 0 , in terms of which the no-flux boundary
conditons on the velocity can also be expressed.
We shall however introduce an alternate approach which has some advantages.
 3

7.8.2 Transformation into normal form

To avoid solving six simultaneous equations at once, we seek a linear combination so that
the governing equations look like those for a one-layer fluid with just three unknowns. This
is called the normal form. Take a(7.8.7) + (7.8.10), we get,

aτxS
!
∂ 0 0 ∂ h0 ρ h0 0
(aU + U ) − f (aV + V ) = −gh aζ + 0 ζ + ζ + (7.8.16)
∂t ∂x hρ h ρ

Similarly a(7.8.8) + (7.8.11) gives

aτyS
!
∂ 0 0 ∂ h0 ρ h0 0
(aV + V ) + f (aU + U ) = −gh aζ + 0 ζ + ζ + (7.8.17)
∂t ∂y hρ h ρ

Finally a(7.8.9) + (7.8.12) gives,

∂ ∂ ∂
(aζ − aζ 0 + ζ 0 ) + (aU + U 0 ) + (aV + V 0 ) = 0 (7.8.18)
∂t ∂x ∂y
from the continuity equations.
Now if we take
h0 ρ h0 0
aζ + ζ + ζ = β ζ̄ (7.8.19)
hρ0 h
and
aζ − aζ 0 + ζ 0 = aζ + (1 − a)ζ 0 = ζ̄ (7.8.20)
Then (7.8.16)-(7.8.18) become

∂ Ū ∂ ζ̄ τ̄ S
− f V̄ = −gβh +a x (7.8.21)
∂t ∂x ρ

∂ V̄ ∂ ζ̄ τ̄yS
+ f Ū = −gβh +a (7.8.22)
∂t ∂y ρ
∂ ζ̄ ∂ Ū ∂ V̄
+ + =0 (7.8.23)
∂t ∂x ∂y
and take on the appearance of the governing equations for a single layer fluid.
For this reduction to be possible, conditions (7.8.19) and (7.8.20) imply that

h0 ρ h0 0
aζ + ζ + ζ = β (aζ − aζ 0 + ζ 0 ) (7.8.24)
hρ0 h

Equating the coefficients of ζ and ζ 0 separately, we get

h0 ρ
βa = a + , (7.8.25)
hρ0
4

h0 
β(−a + 1) = (7.8.26)
h
A quadratic equation is found for β by eliminating a
!
2 h0  h0 ρ h0 
β −β 1+ + 0 + =0
h hρ h
i.e., !
h0
2 h0 
β − +1 β+ =0 (7.8.27)
h h
There are two solutions for β
( ) " s #
β1 h + h0 4hh0
= 1± 1− , (7.8.28)
β2 2h (h + h0 )2
to be refered to as two normal modes. The solutions corresonding to β1 and β2 will be refered
to as Mode 1 and Mode 2, respectively.
Let us see what the corresponding a’s are. Using (7.8.26), we have
h0 
a=1− . (7.8.29)
hβ
Since from (7.8.27),
h0 
β1 β2 =
h
it follows that
β1 β2
a=1− .
β
Therefore,
a1 = 1 − β 2 , a2 = 1 − β 1 (7.8.30)
Let us summarize the normal form equations for Mode k with k = 1, 2. Defining,

Ūk = ak U + U 0 , V̄k = ak V + V 0 (7.8.31)

ζ̄k = ak ζ + (1 − ak ) ζ 0 (7.8.32)
(τ̄x )k = ak τxS , (τ̄y )k = ak τyS . (7.8.33)

then
∂ Ūk ∂ ζ̄k (τ̄x )k
− f V̄k = −gβk h + (7.8.34)
∂t ∂x ρ
∂ V̄k ∂ ζ̄k (τ̄y )k
+ f Ūk = −gβk h + (7.8.35)
∂t ∂y ρ
∂ ζ̄k ∂ Ūk ∂ V̄k
+ + =0 (7.8.36)
∂t ∂x ∂y
 5

Note that for mode k the effective gravity is gβk , and the effective forcing stresses are ak τxS
and ak τyS . Solution for the set of three equations is obviouly a simpler task. For a general
wind stress field (τxS , τyS ), we first solve for (Ū1 , V̄1 , ζ̄1 ) and (Ū2 V̄2 , ζ̄2 ) separately from (7.8.34)
to (7.8.36). Afterwards (U, V, ζ) and (U 0 , V 0 , ζ 0 ) can be solved from the algebraic equations
(7.8.31) and (7.8.32). For example, From
ζ̄1 = a1 ζ + (1 − a1 )ζ 0 , ζ̄2 = a2 ζ + (1 − a2 )ζ 0 (7.8.37)

we get for the sea surface,

 

 ζ̄1 1 − a1 

ζ̄2 1 − a2 (1 − a2 )ζ̄1 − (1 − a1 )ζ̄2
 
 
ζ=   = (7.8.38)

 a1 1 − a 1 
 a1 − a 2
a2 1 − a 2
 
 

and for the interface  


 a1 ζ̄1 
a2 ζ̄2  −a2 ζ̄1 + a1 ζ̄2
 

ζ 0 =   = (7.8.39)
 a1 1 − a 1

 a1 − a 2
 a2 1 − a 2
 


Similarly, from
Ū1 = a1 U + U 0 , Ū2 = a2 U + U 0 (7.8.40)
we get, for the upper layer  

 Ū1 1 
Ū2 1  Ū1 − Ū2
 

U=   = (7.8.41)

 a1 1 
 a1 − a 2
a2 1
 
 

and for the lower layer  


 a1 Ū1 
a2 Ū2  −a2 Ū1 + a1 Ū2
 

U 0 =   = (7.8.42)
 a1 1 
 a1 − a 2
 a2 1 
 

The formulas for V and V 0 are similar, with U 0 s replaced by V 0 s.

7.8.3 Normal form for small density difference

From here we shall only be interested in small density differences, then
h0 h0
β1 = 1 + − + O(2 ) (7.8.43)
h h+h 0

h0
β2 = + O(2 ) (7.8.44)
h+h 0
6

or
h0
a1 = 1 − + O(2 ), (7.8.45)
h + h0
h0 h0
a2 = − + + O(2 ) (7.8.46)
h h+h 0

Taking only the leading order terms, we have

h0
a1 = 1, a2 = − . (7.8.47)
h
From (7.8.43)
h + h0 h0
β1 = , β2 = (7.8.48)
h h + h0
We also get from (7.8.41) and (7.8.42)

(1 + h0 /h) ζ̄1 + (1 − 1)ζ̄2

ζ= = ζ̄1 . (7.8.49)
1 + h0 /h

(h0 /h)ζ̄1 + ζ̄2

ζ0 = (7.8.50)
1 + h0 /h
Ū1 − Ū2 (h0 /h)Ū1 + Ū2
U= , U0 = (7.8.51)
1 + h0 /h 1 + h0 /h
V̄1 − V̄2 (h0 /h)V̄1 + V̄2
V = , V0 = (7.8.52)
1 + h0 /h 1 + h0 /h
For Mode 1 we get from (7.8.31),(7.8.32) and (7.8.33),

Ū1 = U + U 0 V̄1 = V + V 0
ζ̄1 = ζ, (τ̄x )1 = τxS (τ̄y )1 = τyS . (7.8.53)

Let H = h + h0 denote the total depth, the normal mode equations are

∂ Ū1 ∂ ζ̄1 τxS

− f V̄1 = −gH + (7.8.54)
∂t ∂x ρ

∂ V̄1 ∂ ζ̄1 τyS

+ f Ū1 = −gH + (7.8.55)
∂t ∂y ρ
∂ζ ∂ Ū1 ∂ V̄1
+ + = 0. (7.8.56)
∂t ∂x ∂y
In view of (7.8.53), the two layers move together as if a single layer of homogeneous fluid.
This is called the Barotropic (surface) mode.
 7

For Mode 2 we recall from (7.8.34),

h0 h0
a2 = − + O(), β2 = (7.8.57)
h h + h0

Then from (7.8.31) to (7.8.33),

h0 h0
Ū2 = − U + U 0, V̄2 = − V + V 0
h ! h
h0 h0 0
ζ̄2 = − ζ + 1+ ζ (7.8.58)
h h

and
h0
β2 = (7.8.59)
h + h0
from (7.8.44). The normal form equations are

∂ ζ̄2 ∂ Ū2 ∂ V̄2

+ + =0 (7.8.60)
∂t ∂x ∂y

∂ Ū2 hh0 ∂ ζ̄2 h0 S

− f V̄2 = −g − τx , (7.8.61)
∂t h + h0 ∂x h
∂ V̄2 hh0 ∂ ζ̄2 h0 S
+ f Ū2 = −g − τx , (7.8.62)
∂t h + h0 ∂y h
Note that the effective gravity
h0
gβ2 = g (7.8.63)
h + h0
is much smaller than g. Moreover, the effective wind stresses are

h0 S h0 S
− τ , − τ (7.8.64)
h x h y
hence are oppposite to the surface wind stresses.

7.8.4 Free modes without wind

Let us consider free waves in the absence of wind forcing ((τx )k , (τy )k ) = 0). It is then
possible to consider one mode and assume that the other modes to be zero. In particular we
shall examine (eigen, or natural) modes of sinusoidal wave form

(ζk , Uk , Vk ) ∝ eikx x+iky y−iωt (7.8.65)

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Barotropic (surface) mode:

Let us focus on mode 1 alone and assume mode 2 to be absent, i.e.,

Ū2 = V̄2 = ζ̄2 = 0 (7.8.66)

then

Ū2 = −(h0 /h)U + U 0 = 0

V̄2 = −(h0 /h)V + V 0 = 0 (7.8.67)
ζ̄2 = −(h0 /h)ζ + (1 + h0 /h) ζ 0 = 0,

hence
h0 h0 h0
U0 = U V0 =V , ζ0 = ζ. (7.8.68)
h h h + h0
Again the depth-averaged velocities in both layers are in phase and are numerically the same.
The interface displacement is in phase with and smaller than the free surface displacement
in proportion to the vertical distance above the seabed.
Moreover, (7.8.54) to (7.8.56) become for the upper layer:
! !
∂ h + h0 h + h0 ∂ζ
U −f V = −g(h + h0 ) (7.8.69)
∂t h h ∂x
! !
∂ h + h0 h + h0 ∂ζ
V +f U = −g(h + h0 ) (7.8.70)
∂t h h ∂y
!
∂ζ h + h0 ∂U ∂V
+ + = 0. (7.8.71)
∂t h ∂x ∂y
or
∂U ∂ζ
− f V = −gh (7.8.72)
∂t ∂x
∂V ∂ζ
+ f U = −gh (7.8.73)
∂t ∂y
!
∂ζ h + h0 ∂U ∂V
+ + = 0. (7.8.74)
∂t h ∂x ∂y
It is easy to get the equations for the lower layer.
∂U 0 ∂ζ 0
− f V 0 = −gh0 (7.8.75)
∂t ∂x
∂V 0 ∂ζ 0
+ f U 0 = −gh0 (7.8.76)
∂t ∂y
!
∂ζ 0 h + h0 ∂U 0 ∂V 0
+ + = 0. (7.8.77)
∂t h0 ∂x ∂y
 9

Consider sinusidodal waves and the equations for the upper layer,

−iωU − f V = −ghikx ζ

−iωV − f U = −ghiky ζ
h + h0
−iωζ + (ikx U + iky V ) = 0
h
For nontrivbil solution th eeigenvalue condition is easily found to be

ω 2 = f 2 + g(h + h0 )k 2 (7.8.78)

which can be written as

s  s !2 1/2
h + h0 h + h0
ω = ± f + k 2 (h + h0 )2  (7.8.79)
g g

This is the dispersion relation for the barotropic (surface wave) mode, and is plotted in
Figure 7.8.2

Baroclinic (internal wave) mode

Now consider the unforced Mode 2 and assume Mode 1 to be absent,

Ū1 = V̄1 = ζ̄1 = 0 (7.8.80)

Since
a1 = 1 (7.8.81)
we have, from (7.8.31) to (7.8.33)

U + U 0 = 0, V + V 0 = 0. (7.8.82)
h0 0
ζ=− ζ (7.8.83)
h + h0
Note that the horizontal velocities in the two layers are oppositive in phase, so are the free
surface and the interface. The last result implies the free surface behaves like a rigid lid; the
interface oscillates with much greater vigor.
Using these results, we get
!
h0 h0
U2 = − U + U0 = 1 + U0 (7.8.84)
h h
!
h0
V2 = 1+ V0 (7.8.85)
h
!
h0 0
ζ2 = 1+ ζ (7.8.86)
h
10

Figure 7.8.2: Dispersion relation for the barotropic mode in a two-layered sea of contant
depth.

Putting all this in (7.8.34) to (7.8.36), we get

! !
∂ h0 h0
1+ U0 − f 1 + V0
∂t h h
h h h + h ∂ζ
0 0 0
= −g . (7.8.87)
h + h0 h ∂x
Therefore, for the lower layer,
∂U 0 h0 h ∂ζ 0
− f V 0 = −g . (7.8.88)
∂t h + h0 ∂x
Similarly,
∂V 0 gh0 h ∂ζ 0
+ fU0 = − (7.8.89)
∂t h + h0 ∂y
Also from (7.8.31),
! ! !
h0 ∂ζ 0 h0 ∂U 0 ∂V 0
1+ + 1+ + = 0. (7.8.90)
h ∂t h ∂x ∂y
 11

hence,
∂ζ 0 ∂U 0 ∂V 0
+ + = 0. (7.8.91)
∂t ∂x ∂y
We can also write the equations for the upper layer,

∂U h0 h ∂ζ 0
− fV = g . (7.8.92)
∂t h + h0 ∂x
’
∂V gh0 h ∂ζ 0
+ fU = (7.8.93)
∂t h + h0 ∂y
and
∂ζ 0 ∂U ∂V
− − = 0. (7.8.94)
∂t ∂x ∂y
Note the sign changes in the momentum and mass conservation equations.
For sinusoical waves we have

−iωU − f V = g 0 hikx ζ 0

−iωV − f U = g 0 hiky ζ 0
−iωζ 0 − (ikx U + iky V ) = 0
with
h0
g 0 = g (7.8.95)
h + h0
The eigenvalue condition acan be easily found to be

ω 2 = f 2 + g 0 hk 2 (7.8.96)

which can be written as s s !1/2

h h
ω 0 =± f + k 2 h2 (7.8.97)
g g 0

This dispersion relation is similar to Figure 7.8.2. Since the reduced gravity, i svery small.
The baroclinic mode has a much longer natural period.
Mode 2 is called the barolinic (internal wave) mode.