A study of turbulent flow in large-scale porous media at high Reynolds numbers. Part II: flow physics

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe evaluation of hydraulic performance of coarse porous media at high Reynolds numbers is of significant importance for dam safety assessment. To address this task, the present study uses a numerical approach based on a rigorous theoretical framework. The novelty of the study lies in the application of a fully calibrated and validated numerical three-dimensional model and a set of modified equations for momentum transfer and the associated coefficients for flow in porous media. A Lagrangian particle tracking model was used to estimate the lengths of the flow channels that developed in the porous media. Gamma distributions were fitted to the normalized channel lengths, and the scale and shape parameters of the gamma distribution were found to be Reynolds number dependent. These shape parameters can be estimated from the suggested polynomial equations. The proposed normalized length parameter can be used to evaluate permeability, energy dissipation, induced forces, and diffusion. It was found that shear forces exerted on the coarse particles depend on the inertial forces of the flow and can be estimated using the proposed equation for the developed turbulent flows in porous media.