The paper presents an application of the modified rigid finite element method to analysis of the dynamics of slender structures. The equations of motion are formulated for a system discretized by means of the method, and discussion is limited to planar systems and large deformations. Slender elements can be found in offshore engineering as lines, cables and risers. In these cases the hydrostatic influence of water and sea currents has to be taken into account. While analyzing dynamics of risers it may also be necessary to consider the flow of fluid inside the riser. The influence of hydrodynamic coefficients and the velocity of the internal flow of fluid on displacements and forces is presented.

Potentially hazardous side-channels of complex geometry need to be investigated using detailed hydraulic physical models. This study aims to analyse the cross-waves pattern and pulsating flow using a side-channel spillway physical model. This study compares the cross-waves pattern were measured using an experimental installation set to generate cross-waves on the surface (original series) with another structure that did not produce cross-waves (modified series). The results showed that the geometry of the left wall caused instability in flow patterns and secondary flows. The starting point of Q ₂ discharge was detected by minor turbulence on the water surface near the left wall at a water depth of 3.3 m at the starting point of the wall, but with no overtopping. Cross-waves formed downstream at the right wall crosswise, lower than at the left wall. The height of the cross-wave increased substantially from Q ₁₀₀ to Q ₁₀₀₀ discharges leading to overtoppings near the left wall at a water depths of 4.2 and 5.0 m at the starting point of the wall, and near the right wall at a water depths of 3.8 and 4.0 m at the upstream point of the wall. The modifications provided optimal hydraulic conditions, i.e. elimination of cross-waves and non-uniform flows. The Vedernikov and Montouri numbers showed that both original and modified series did not enter the area where the pulsating flow occurred. This indicated that both series were free from the pulsating flow.