Evaluating Two-Layer Models for Velocity Profiles in Open-Channels with Submerged Vegetation

For submerged vegetated flow, the velocity profile has two distinctive distributions in the vegetation layer in the lower region and the surface layer in the upper non-vegetated region. Based on a mixing-layer analogy, different analytical models have been proposed for the velocity profile in the two layers. This paper evaluates the four analytical models of Klopstra et al., Defina & Bixio, Yang et al. and Nepf against a wide range of independent experimental data available in the literature. To test the applicability and robust of the models, the author used the 19 datasets with various relative depths of submergence, different vegetation densities and bed slopes (1.8 × 10?6 - 4.0 × 10?3). This study shows that none of the models can predict the velocity profiles well for all datasets. The three models except Yang’s model performed reasonably well in certain cases, but Yang’s model failed in most the cases studied. It was also found that the Defina model is almost the same as the Klopstra model, if the same mixing length scale of eddies (λ) is used. Finally, close examination of the mixing length scale of eddies (λ) in the Defina model showed that when λ/h = 1/40(H/h)1/2, this model can predict velocity profiles well for all the datasets used.

Study on the flow structure around discontinued vertically layered vegetation in an open channel

The flow structure and geomorphology of rivers are significantly affected by vegetation patterns. In the present study, the effect of vegetation in the form of discontinuous and vertically double layered patches particularly on the resulting flow turbulence was examined computationally in an open channel. A k-ɛ model was implemented in this research work which was developed using 3-D numerical code FLUENT (ANSYS). After the validation process of numerical model, the impact of discontinuous layered vegetation patches on the flow turbulence was investigated against varying vegetation density and patch length. The mean stream-wise velocities at specified positions showed larger spatial fluctuations directly upstream and downstream of vegetation elements, whereas sharp inflections in the profiles were witnessed at the top of smaller submerged elements i.e. z/hs= 1 (where z is the flow depth and hs is the smaller vegetation height). The reduction in flow velocity due to tall vegetation structure was more as compared with that of short vegetation. The mean velocity in the patch regions was visibly higher than that in the gap regions. The profiles of turbulent flow properties showed more rise and fall within the patches with a high vegetation density i.e. Ss/d= 4;and St/d= 8 (where Ss/d and St/d are the smaller and taller vegetation spacing, while d is the vegetation diameter) as compared with low vegetation density i.e. Ss/d= 8;and St/d= 16. The turbulent flow structure in the large patch and gap regions was found to be more stable than that in the small patches and gaps;whereas, due to the variation in distribution form of the patch, turbulence is relatively unaffected, and the flow structure variation is low. Turbulence was observed to be large, followed by a saw-tooth distribution within the patches;whereas, low turbulence is observed in the non-vegetation regions. The turbulent intensity acquired maximum of 13% turbulence for dense vegetation arrangement as compared to that of sparse arrangement having maximum of 9% turbulent intensity. A noteworthy rise in turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent intensity was witnessed as the flow passed through the vegetated regions. Hence, a non-uniform flow was observed through discontinuous and double layered vegetation patches.

FLOW STRUCTURE OF PARTLY VEGETATED OPEN-CHANNEL FLOWS WITH EELGRASS

Aquatic vegetation can influence the transport of sediment and contaminants by changing the mean velocity and turbulent flow structure in channels. It is important to understand the hydraulics of the flows over vegetation in order to manage fluvial processes. Experiments in an open-channel flume with natural vegetation were carried out to study the influence of vegetation on the flows. In a half channel with two different densities of vegetation, the flow velocity, Reynolds stresses, and turbulence intensities were measured using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter （ADV）. We obtained velocity profiles in the lateral direction, Reynolds stresses in the vertical direction, and the flow transition between the vegetated and non-vegetated zones in different flow regimes. The results show that the streamwise velocity in the vegetated zone with higher density is almost entirely blocked. Reynolds stress distribution distinguishes with two different regions： inside and above the vegetation canopies. The turbulence intensities increase with increasing Reynolds number. The coherent vortices dominate the vertical transport of momentum and are advected clockwise between the vegetated zone and non-vegetated zone by secondary currents （a relatively minor flow superimposed on the primary flow, with significantly different speed and direction）, generated by the anisotropy of the turbulence.

含柔性植被明渠水流水力特性的试验研究

采用粒子图像测速(PIV)技术对含柔性淹没植被明渠水流的水力特性进行试验研究。利用人造水草模拟天然柔性植被,对不同密度、不同流量条件下含柔性植被明渠恒定均匀流场进行了测量,得到了淹没植被情况下纵向流速、雷诺应力、紊动强度沿垂向分布与曼宁系数的变化情况。试验结果表明:纵向流速的垂向分布可以分为3区,包括自由水面区、中间冠层区和近床面区。自由水面区流速随植被密度增大而增大,中间冠层区与近床面区流速随植被密度增大而减小。雷诺应力与紊动强度的峰值出现在植被冠区顶部附近,并随着植被密度增大而增大。

淹没植被浅水明渠流的非对数流速分布规律

随着对生态环境的日益重视,有关植被的水力学研究近年来进展迅速。对于淹没植被,现有的研究一般认为植被表层水流仍满足对数分布。但在浅水情况下,表层水流流速明显偏离对数规律。本文首先通过改变表层水深、植被杆径和密度,开展了淹没植被浅水明渠流多工况水槽实验,并运用激光多普勒测速仪对垂线流速分布进行了测量;然后结合Prandtl紊流掺混理论,探讨了浅水情况下掺混长度沿水深的变化规律,并推导出非对数形式的流速分布公式。与实验资料的比较结果表明:理论公式能较好地描述淹没植被条件下浅水明渠流的流速分布规律。