Simulation of Curved Open Channel Flows by 3D Hydrodynamic Model

Abstract

A mathematical model of three-dimensional (3D) free surface flows has been applied to simulate the curved channel flows and mass transport. In the horizontal plane, a channel-fitted curvilinear coordinate system is used, whereas in the vertical plane, the σ-transformation is adopted to track the free surface and variable bed topography. To reduce the numerical diffusion, the second-order upwind scheme of Roe is incorporated to discretize the convection terms. The standard k-ε model has been modified to take account of some anisotropic effects appearing in shallow curved channels, i.e., streamline curvature and the damping effects of free surface and solid walls. The governing equations are solved in a collocated grid system by a fractional three-step implicit algorithm. Two test cases from curved flumes have been studied: (1) A 270° channel bend with a sloped outer bank; and (2) a meandering channel with mass transport. The results are compared with the available data, which shows generally good agreement.