Transient behavior of through-flowing gravity currents interacting with a roughness array

We present laboratory experiments that investigate the structure and flow characteristics of gravity currents traveling through an array of roughness elements. The roughness elements are of comparable height to the gravity current such that the current flows through the roughness array rather than over it. The frontal velocity and density structure are measured as the current transitions from flowing along a smooth bed to flowing through the roughness array and then back to a smooth bed. We find that, upon entering the roughness array, the gravity current decelerates and the density structure changes from the head-and-tail structure typical of smooth bed gravity currents to a wedge shape. A model is presented that explains the deceleration and change in shape based on a dynamic balance between a pressure gradient within the current tail and a drag force associated with individual roughness elements. This model accurately predicts the deceleration of the gravity current, supporting the proposed dynamic balance.