Investigation of turbulence characteristics in channel with dense vegetation

Abstract

In this experimental study, the turbulent flow in a channel with vegetation by using sprouts of wheat on channel bed was investigated. Two different aspect ratios of channel were used. An Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry was used to measure parameters of turbulent flow over submerged sprouts of wheat, such as velocity profiles. The log law and the Reynolds shear stress distribution were applied. Results indicate that the position of the maximum turbulence intensity superposes on the inflection point situated over the top of submerged vegetation cover. Quadrant analysis shows that near the vegetation bed, the sweeps and ejections appear to be the most dominant phenomenon, while far from the vegetated bed, the outward is dominant event. Results also show that the aspect ratio plays an important role on the contribution of the different bursting events for Reynolds stress determination.