Author(s): Md Nazmul Azim Beg; Rita Carvalho; Pedro Lopes; Jorge Leandro; Nuno Melo

Linked Author(s): Maria Rita L. M. F. Carvalho

Keywords: Urban drainage systems; Manhole-pipe system; OpenFO AM; Velocity profiles; Sewer junction

Abstract: Urban drainage networks contain a large number of structures. Manhole is the most common and the most important as it connects pieces of sewer pipes to form sewer networks. Understanding the hydraulics of a manhole-pipe drainage system is either important as this may sometimes become the bottlenecks of the sewer systems. In this study, the flow structure and flow hydraulics of a specific manhole-pipe sewer system was analysed numerically in view of further research to investigate sediment/ suspended solid transport in the system. The numerical model was compared with discharge and water pressure/depth data from experimental model. Different discharges and water levels at the inlet pipe were applied and corresponding change of flow hydraulics were analysed. Two scenarios were tested: (1) free surface flow and (2) pressurized flow condition in the pipe. In numerical analysis, k-ε turbulent model was used within open source CFD tool OpenFOAM®. The numerical results showed similar flows and water pressure levels to that of the experimental works. Different flow patterns were observed in the manhole at different discharges. This flow patterns will give further insight in assessing pollutant flow inside the system.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15142/T370628160853

Year: 2016