EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATION OF BRICK-PATTERN RIPPLE FORMATION IN OSCILLATORY FLOW

Abstract

Three-dimensional sedimentary structures occur frequently in coastal and river environments. Brick-pattern ripples show a regular three-dimensional configuration composed of transverse crests and longitudinal bridges between the crests. Various studies have been made to examine the formation mechanism of brick-pattern ripples. However, these studies are insufficient to explain how the brick pattern appears on the surface of sand in an oscillatory flow. In this study, we make experimentally the detailed observation of the formation process by means of flow visualization and SfM-based 3D modeling to examine the brick-pattern ripple formation.