Author(s): Cuicui Qin; Yan Yang; Xuejun Shao; Jianyin Zhou
Linked Author(s): Cuicui Qin
Keywords: Meandering channel; Numerical method; Sinuosity; Secondary flow; Width-to-depth ratio
Abstract: The main purpose of this paper was to study the main and secondary flow characteristics in a meandering channel quantitatively under different hydraulic conditions. As most natural reaches are not straight, the study of flow in the meandering channel has practical significance. 3d numerical method has been applied to simulate the flow field in the meandering channel developed by Chang (1971). The simulation results showed good agreements with measured datum at the longitudinal and lateral velocity profiles which verified the following discussions as they mainly focused on the analyses of the velocities. The main streamline and secondary flow patterns varied with different water depths and input velocities. With the water depth increasing the main streamline of the first bend moved to the middle of the river. Besides, the positive relationship between water depth and sinuosity of the streamline in the first bend, which was defined as the ratio of it to the valley length, were obtained. The patterns of the secondary flow were greatly influenced by the water depth. There was a width-to-depth ratio as a diving value to the changes of the maximum circulation strength in the first and second bend. In all this paper can provide some references to river regulation.
Year: 2013