Flow modelling in compound channels : momentum transfer between main channel and prismatic or non-prismatic floodplains
(2002)
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- Authors
- Supervisors
- Zech, Yves
- Abstract
- (en) Flow modelling in a compound channel is a complex matter. Indeed, due to the smaller velocities in the floodplains than in the main channel, shear layers develop at the interfaces between these subsections, and the channel conveyance is affected by a momentum transfer corresponding to this shear layer, but also to possible geometrical changes in a non-prismatic reach. In this work, a one-dimensional approach, the Exchange Discharge Model (EDM), is proposed for such flows. The EDM accounts for the momentum transfer between channel subsections, estimated as proportional to the velocity gradient and to the discharges exchanged through the interface; where two main processes are identified : (1) the turbulent exchange, due to the shear-layer development; and (2) the geometrical transfer, due to cross-sectional changes. The EDM is successfully validated for discharge prediction, but also for water-profile computation, through comparison with existing laboratory and field measurements. The momentum transfer due to turbulent exchanges is then studied experimentally, theoretically and numerically. At first, new experimental data, obtained by using Particle Tracking Velocimetry techniques, are presented : the periodical vortex structures that develop in the shear layer are clearly identified and characterised. Secondly, a hydrodynamic linear stability analysis enables to predict quite successfully the wave length of some observed vortices. Lastly, an Unsteady-RANS numerical method is used to simulate the perturbation development. The estimated vortex wave lengths agree again with the measurements and the theoretical predictions, although vortices merging occurs in the simulation results, which was actually not observed experimentally. The velocity-profile prediction is found improved when the effect of vortices is considered, thanks to the corresponding additional shearing. The geometrical transfer is also investigated experimentally and numerically. Novel experiments are designed, with the measurements of the flow in a compound channel with symmetrically narrowing floodplains. The mass transfer and the evolution of the flow distribution along the channel length are clearly observed. A significant additional head loss due to this transfer is measured, in accordance with the EDM hypothesis. Measured water profiles are finally compared successfully with the EDM predictions. In addition to the EDM development and validation, the so-called Lateral Distribution Method (LDM) is also investigated and the significance of the secondary-currents models proposed by previous authors for this method is discussed. When considering the velocity-profile prediction, the effect of these helical secondary currents is again clearly highlighted, by using dispersion terms in the Saint-Venant equations. However, the actual physical meaning of the related dispersion coefficients remains uncertain. In addition, an extended LDM is also proposed and discussed for non-prismatic flow modelling, using the new narrowing-channel data set.
- Affiliations
Citations
Bousmar, D. (2002). Flow modelling in compound channels : momentum transfer between main channel and prismatic or non-prismatic floodplains. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/129107