An experimental study to determine the obstacle height required for the control of subcritical and supercritical gravity currents

Abstract

Turbidity currents are important phenomena involved in sediment processes in long and deep reservoirs. Deviation or dissipation of the turbidity currents in reservoirs can be achieved by using obstacles. In this paper, we study the effects of obstacle height on complete control of both subcritical and supercritical gravity currents (.7 ≤ Frd ≤ 1.37) with various inflow characteristics by means of a physical model. First, a gravity current with different concentrations and discharges without using an obstacle is measured along a flume with three different slopes. Then, the height required to block the gravity current is determined by taking into account inflow characteristics and other results reflected in the literature. Finally, using the obstacle same as embankment barrier with various heights, the effects of obstacle height on the gravity current are studied in both subcritical and supercritical flows. The results specify what obstacle height is required for complete blockage of subcritical and supercritical gravity currents.