Author(s): D. Souliotis; P. Prinos
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Density currents; Emergent vegetation; Lock-exchange; Toe velocity; Current length
Abstract: In this work lock-exchange flows through rigid, emergent vegetation, as found in wetlands and salt marshes, are investigated numerically. The CFD code FLUENT is used for solving the VARANS equations (Volume-Averaged-Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes) and the transport equations of a k-ε type turbulence model, while the effect of vegetation on the current is taken into account through additional terms in these equations. The VOF (Volume-Of-Fluid) method is also employed for “tracking” the interface between the salt and the fresh water, as well as any disturbances of the free surface due to the surface current. Numerical results for the toe velocity of the current, the length of the current and the shape of the interface between salt and fresh water are presented for cases with different vegetation density and these results are compared to available experimental and theoretical expressions derived from momentum and energy considerations.
Year: 2011