Author(s): Yakun Guo; Hefang Jing; Chunguang Li
Linked Author(s): Yakun Guo
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Open channel flows are often characterized by complicated turbulent flow structures, even for simple rectangular straight channels. The flow structure in a compound meandering open channel is one of the most complicated turbulent flows as the flow pattern is affected by combined action of various forces, such as centrifugal force, pressure and shear stresses. Furthermore, the presence of secondary currents, playing an important role in meandering compound open channel flows, makes the numerical simulation more difficulty. So far, relatively fewer studies have been carried out on numerical simulation of turbulent flow in compound meandering channels. The accurate simulation of the turbulent flow in meandering compound channels is still a challenging task. In this paper, we apply a three dimensional (3D) Reynolds stress equation model to simulate the turbulent flow structure in compound meandering channels. Finite volume method is applied to solve the governing equations. The tangential and transverse velocity fields and Reynolds stresses are calculated for a range of input conditions for four cases (one being inbank flow and other three being overbank flow). The results show that both the water depth and average velocity in the main channel have significant effects on the magnitude and direction of secondary currents. Good agreement between the simulated results and measurements was obtained, indicating that the Reynolds stress equation model can accurately predict the complicated flow phenomenon.
Year: 2009