Numerical simulation of transient pipe flow with entrapped air and wet bed effects

Abstract

In this study, the evolution of transient pipe flow along the wet bed is numerically investigated. In the investigation, the shear stress transport k-ω model is used and the volume of fluid method is employed to track the surface of air and water. Two key parameters in the flow as upstream head H and initial water depth h in the pipe are examined. It is found that the bottom stress is significantly affected by the two parameters. The upstream head H determines the magnitude of the shear force, and the downstream water depth in the pipe affects the stability of the shear force. The boundary layer separation and flow pattern are the essential causes of shear instability. By analyzing the simulation results, an empirical equation with the average flow velocity is obtained to estimate the overflow capacity of the pipe by just the upstream water level and the depth of the wet bed.