Abstract: | The hydrodynamic characteristics of thin, laminar, gravity-driven, wavy-film flow are considered. A theoretical model is developed to predict the hydrodynamic features of asymptotic, wavy-flow states. The mathematical closure question arising in asymptotic-state analyses is resolved by incorporating the results of a prior stability analysis of smooth-film flow. Calculated values for mean film thickness, trough-to-crest dimension, wave celerity, and wavelength are found to be consistent with published experimental data for these quantities. |
