Large-eddy simulation of turbulent free surface flow over a gravel bed

Abstract

In this paper, a large-eddy simulation study of turbulent free surface flow over a natural rough bed is presented. A three-dimensional multiphase flow model is employed to study the roughness effects on the turbulence properties and free surface dynamics. The governing equations have been discretized using the finite volume method, with the Cartesian cut-cell method being implemented to deal with the precise scanned gravel bed topography and the deformable free surface being captured by a volume of fluid method. The predicted mean flow velocities and turbulence statistics have been compared with experimental data. A close agreement has been obtained between the two sets of results, providing confirmation that this complementary approach to experimental investigations gives further insight into the turbulent free surface flow dynamics over rough beds. It is found that small waves are generated on the free surface due to the roughness effect for the relative low submergence case.