Flow through Trapezoidal and Rectangular Channels with Rigid Cylinders

Abstract

A physical model study was performed in which wood dowels were used to model rigid vegetation. The dowel configurations used in the flume were intended to simulate the effects of willow post systems (i.e., collections of rigid cylinders placed along a streambank to reduce streambank erosion). In addition, an analytical model is presented for predicting depth-averaged velocity distributions in straight trapezoidal or rectangular channels with newly constructed willow post systems. The analytical model is founded on wake theory and is applicable to channels with submerged and unsubmerged rigid cylinders. Data from three independent physical model studies were used to validate the analytical model. Depth-averaged velocities predicted using the analytical model, Upred , were compared to velocities observed in the physical models, Uobsd , and yielded discrepancy ratios, Upred ∕ Uobsd , that were typically between 0.80 and 1.20. Results from this study are that significant variables for reducing local velocitie...