Effect of submerged vane on three dimensional flow dynamics and bed morphology in river bend

Abstract

AbstractA series of hydraulic experiments were undertaken in a 180° bend laboratory flume with parabolic erodible bed to simulate the effect of submerged vanes on the flow field and subsequent scour morphology in a river bend. The objective of the study was to investigate the role of submerged vanes in protecting riverbed erosion in a river bend. Parameters responsible for scour and deposition, including the velocity distribution field, bed shear stress, and kinetic energy, are presented. Results indicate that the presence of submerged vanes (a) reduced the maximum velocity along the outer bank of the parabolic riverbed by approximately 23%, and the location of this velocity field shifted from the outer bank of the 150°‐section to a central zone of 40°; (b) reduced the maximum bed shear stress and turbulence by 32% and 19%, respectively, and their locations also changed; and (c) reduced scour depths by up to 40% at the outer bank of the bend. The data obtained from these experiments will aid in the efficient design of riverbed protection works.