English

Statistical mechanics of the shallow-water system with a prior potential vorticity distribution

Fluid Dynamics 2009-11-13 v1

Abstract

We adapt the statistical mechanics of the shallow-water equations to the case where the flow is forced at small scales. We assume that the statistics of forcing is encoded in a prior potential vorticity distribution which replaces the specification of the Casimir constraints in the case of freely evolving flows. This determines a generalized entropy functional which is maximized by the coarse-grained PV field at statistical equilibrium. Relaxation equations towards equilibrium are derived which conserve the robust constraints (energy, mass and circulation) and increase the generalized entropy.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.physics/0611165,
  title  = {Statistical mechanics of the shallow-water system with a prior potential vorticity distribution},
  author = {P. H. Chavanis and B. Dubrulle},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:physics/0611165},
  year   = {2009}
}