Author(s): Kortney Brown; Brian Crookston

Linked Author(s): Brian Crookston, William Brown

Keywords: Supercritical; Bends; Computational Fluid Dynamics; CFD; Numerical; Modelling

Abstract: The flow patterns observed in supercritical flows at bends in open channels are encountered in spillways, canals, and drainage works – this complex flow condition has been investigated more than 80 years ago, first with hydraulic models and more recently using numerical models. This paper presents a numerical investigation using a selection of experimental data from Dr. A. T. Ippen and a commercially available 3-dimensional CFD solver. A comparison of the numerical results to the physical data is presented, highlighting the ability of the numerical models to reproduce these complex water surface profiles including the magnitude and location of standing waves. Modeling efforts were of a single fluid and used RNG and LES turbulence models. Furthermore, the observations, findings, and conclusions of this paper are discussed as they relate to open channel design.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15142/T3580628160853

Year: 2016