A Topology-alterative Algorithm for Transient Dynamic Hydraulic Response Investigation

Abstract

In this paper, a hexahedra-based topology-alterative algorithm is proposed to simulate dynamic boundary issues of the gate opening motions in water conservancy projects. The algorithm, which cooperates with the two-phase, incompressible solver of OpenFOAM platform, enables researchers to investigate transient hydraulic characteristic variations comprehensively. Two benchmark experiments were performed to validate the numerical results under the working conditions of moving sluice gates and unsteady weir head. The time history response of water level and pressure on specified monitoring points, flow pattern scenario near moving gate, furthermore, the development of antisymmetric-revolving vertical vortices around gate piers were recorded to assess the accuracy of the proposed model. The cross-contrasting results show that the relative error of weir flow time is less than 5.00 %. Moreover, good agreement has been obtained about time history curves of free surface elevation and pressure between numerical and experiment solutions. The vivid flow pattern shows the simulating capability of the current model and indicates an inspiring way to numerically investigate generation mechanism of vertical vortex inside gate grooves. The proposed algorithm is believed to be a useful utility on the further investigation on flow variation in real hydraulic engineering applications, such as improvement of semi-empirical discharge formulas, reduction of cavitation damage, elimination of pipe hammer pressure even spectral analysis of sluice gates with a fluid structure interaction interface.