An experimental study on main flow, secondary flow and turbulence in open-channel bends with emphasis on their interaction with the outer-bank geometry

This research focus on the influence of bank inclination and roughness on the near-bank flow patterns which is relevant for bank protection, bank erosion and design of stable river configuration. Foregoing studies have been carried out mostly in rectangular channels which are far from being representative of natural conditions. In straight-channel flows large scale vortical structures, such as secondary currents or circulation cells of Prandtl's second kind, play a fundamental role. In curved flows mainly two circulation cells are generated, the center-region cell and the outer-bank cell. The outer-bank cell has a fundamental role in protecting the outer-bank by constraining the center-region cell and thereby decreasing the downstream velocity and turbulence. It is still not clear how the secondary circulation cells interact with varying channel shape and wetted perimeter roughness distribution in straight as in curved flows. This work is a part of a joint research program. The project other three partners are: Delft University of Technology (TUD), WL | Delft Hydraulics (WL) and the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). The main goal is to improve the understanding of flow underlying mechanisms and to improve existing hydrodynamic and morphodynamic tools. Despite the broader program where this research project is inserted, it is also self-contained. This research project is situated in the discipline of fluid dynamics applied to open-channel flows in the topic of dynamics of the mean-flow field and the turbulence in straight and curved channels. The two main goals are: i) To investigate, systematically in laboratory controlled conditions the influence of the outer bank inclination and roughness on the patterns of main flow, secondary flow, turbulence and outer-bank shear stress in straight and curved flows; ii) To give insight in the flow mechanisms responsible for the observed patterns. The channel width of B = 1.3 m, water depth of H = 0.16 m and a bulk velocity of U = 0.43 m/s were kept constant. The bank inclination was varied between 90°, 45° and 30° whereas the bank roughness was varied between smooth PVC, sand (d = 0.002 m) and d = 0.03 m materials (simulating riprap). The measurements were performed using the Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry Profiler (ADVP). The ADVP is fundamental for the accomplishment of these goals due to its accuracy and profiler capabilities. Straight channel results reveal that rectangular and trapezoidal channels have different flow patterns. The trapezoidal channels have less circulation cells than rectangular channels and a bed shear stress distribution with fewer oscillations. In trapezoidal channels the bed shear stress is higher than the cross-section averaged shear stress regardless the bank/bed roughness ratio. The bank shear stress value increases with outer-bank roughness. The experimental measurements were compared with methods of estimating mean and maximum bed and bank shear stresses, Chow (1959) and Knight et al. (1994). Chow (1959) wetted perimeter shear stress distribution is in agreement with the experiments for the trapezoidal channel experiments with homogeneous roughness distribution whereas for heterogeneous roughness distribution no agreement is verified. Knight (1994) estimations are in good agreement with measurements suggesting its applicability as engineering expedite process. In the curved flow experiments focus is given to the outer-bank roughness and inclination effect on the outer-bank flow region mainly on the outer-bank cell. Curved channel flow results reveal that the outer-bank roughness and inclination has a strong effect on the outer-bank cell, and as consequence, on the center-region cell and downstream velocity evolution along the bend. In all experiments the outer-bank cell constrains the outward limit of the center-region cell regardless its size or strength. In curved flows with rectangular channel, the outer-bank cell size increases with increasing outer-bank roughness and so further protect the bed close to the outer-bank. In curved flows with trapezoidal channel, the outer-bank cell is located over the outer-bank toe close to the free-surface even for low-bank inclination, however, the outer-bank basal zone is more exposed to higher shear stresses. In curved flows with trapezoidal channel, low outer-bank angle and varying bank roughness, the outer-bank cell does not increase with increasing outer-bank roughness. The mechanisms underlying the outer-bank cell are disclosed by analyzing the downstream vorticity equation main terms. The centrifugal term and the cross-stream shear term favor the outer-bank cell rotation sense but cross-stream turbulent anisotropy

Geomorphic work by gravity currents with varying initial conditions

Jessica Zordan

Gravity currents are density-driven flows that are able to transport high amounts of sediment and are responsible of great geomorphic changes. Moreover they can have severe repercussions on the environment since they are conveyors of substances, e.g. pollutants, for long distances depending on their flow dynamics. The latter are determined by the release conditions and by the exchange at the upper and lower boundaries. The aim of this research study is to characterize the turbulent structure of gravity currents, as a consequence of the initial release conditions, to relate with their transport capacity. For this purpose, saline gravity currents are experimentally created in a laboratory channel through the lock-exchange technique. Different initial conditions, representing different configurations that can be found in reality, are considered during the experiments. The tested parameters are: initial buoyancy of the current in the lock, initial volume of release (i.e. lock-length), lock slope and grain sizes of the sediment that form an erodible bed over which the current flows. High-resolution velocity measurements, performed with an Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (ADVP), allowed to describe both horizontal and vertical structures of the gravity currents. A universal criterion is established to isolate head and body of the current which are characterized by different dynamics and their extensions vary in relation with the conditions of release. A new parametrization, based on the computed temporal evolution of shear stress, allows to quantify water entrainment from the upper interface and sediment erosion capacity at the bottom. The effect of the increment of gravitational forces on its erosion capacity is tested by introducing a slope in the lock reach. The range of considered slopes goes from horizontal to S=8%. This latter is identified as a transient case in which two mechanisms compete i.e. on one side, the current entrains more water from the upper interface due to the increment of friction, the current expands, dilutes and therefore slows down; on the other side, the head is fed by the faster rear steady current thus inducing an acceleration. At the bottom, high shear stress associated with intense ejection and burst events influence erosion and bed load transport. The coupling of hydrodynamic mechanisms and processes of erosion, transport and deposition of sediment are investigated. It is shown that the upward motion, caused by mean and turbulent velocity components, promote vertical mixing of sediment fromthe channel bed. The feedback between the hydrodynamics of a gravity current and the geomorphic changes of a mobile bed are analysed. The shape of the front changes due to sediment entrainment and the deposition of sediment downstream creates characteristic patterns whose geometry reflect the coherent turbulent structure of the current. The scientific contributions elaborated in this research project allow to ameliorate the modelling of these flows, describing their inherent complex mechanisms under various initiation conditions and the interaction with suspended material. This helps to formulate adapted mitigation measures for the retention of these phenomena which frequently have a negative effect and e.g. induce reservoir sedimentation, subaqueous structure damages and scour processes in the vicinity of submerged pipelines or exacerbate pollutants dispersion.

EPFL2018

High velocity aerated flow on stepped chutes with macro-roughness elements

Stéphanie Joëlle André

Uncontrolled overtopping during flood events can endanger embankment dams. Erosion of the downstream slope and scouring of its base caused by the high velocity and energy of the overflow can indeed lead to breach formation until complete failure. In this context and faced with the important number of overtopped embankment dams to be rehabilitated, since the early eighties, researchers have investigated surface protection solutions for downstream slope. Overlays against erosion such as seeded goetextile or cable-tied cellular concrete blocks, are not sufficient. In fact, they can resist only short events with low discharge and velocity. Solution to overcome more severe overflow lies in overlays which dissipate flow energy along the downstream embankment slope. Conventional steps resulting from Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) techniques fulfill efficiently this challenge. However, flows over steep stepped chutes are quite complex, characterizing by great aeration, high turbulence and confused wavy free surface. Then, most of hydraulic studies of such flows are performed on physical model. Yet, understanding and definition of flow behaviour and accurate approach to estimate energy dissipation are still lacking. General guidelines of hydraulics of aerated flows over stepped macro-roughness chutes and for optimal design of protection overlay remain confusing. To contribute to reduce these uncertainties, experimental study of flow over stepped chutes equipped with macro-roughness elements is performed in a laboratory gated flume for mild (~ 1:7H : 1V ) and weak (~ 3H : 1V ) chutes. Thus, they are representative of the range of embankment dams and spillways slopes. Three types of stepped macro-roughness overlays are assessed, namely rectangular conventional steps, steps equipped with endsills fixed on their nose over all the flume width and steps equipped with rectangular spaced blocks. Endsills overlays were characterized with different longitudinal distributions whereas blocks overlays consisted in different transverse patterns. Tests were conducted for the three nappe, transition and skimming flow regimes. Results can be extrapolated to 1/5 to 1/15 scaled prototypes using the Froude similarity with negligible scale effects. Flow depth, local air concentration and longitudinal velocities are measured with a double fiber-optical probe. Pressures at macro-roughness faces are taken with piezo-resistive sensors. Sequent depths of the hydraulic jump forced in the stilling basin at the flume base are measured with ultrasound sensors. Thus, this experimental phase of the thesis has allowed: to define flow parameters (regimes, depths, velocity and air concentration distributions, hydrodynamic forces) for tested overlays, to highlight that air-water flow depth is divided into: a rough boundary layer influenced by shear stress and by drag form (macro-turbulence) caused by macro-roughness, a homogeneous aerated layer which represents the main portion of flow involved in energy dissipation mechanism, a free surface layer which must be considered in the side walls design, to stress that energy dissipation is mainly a question of drag losses, to validate indirect method of hydraulic jump for energy dissipation estimation, to estimate relative energy loss for several stepped macro-roughness overlays. Tests finally show that an optimal alternative to dissipate the overflow energy during an overtopping event consists in spaced blocks, with transverse space larger than the width of block and fixed alternately on conventional steps. However, experimental results remain related and limited to their tested domains. Then, in order to provide more general governing equations of aerated flows over macro-roughness stepped chutes, a numerical modeling of two phase flows over conventional stepped flume was performed in collaboration with the Laboratory of Applied Hydrodynamics and Hydraulic Constructions at University of Liège. A quasi-2D numerical model based on the finite volume method was developed. It consists in applying the classical depth-averaged simplified Navier-Stokes equations (viscosity and Coriolis terms neglected) to a 1D incompressible air-water mixture flow over mild and steep slopes with a stepped topography. Self-aeration process is modeled by a transport equation of depth-averaged air concentration whereas turbulent structures are indirectly implemented through the Boussinesq coefficient. This first 1D-approach of semi-theoretical description of aerated flow over steps is tested for a 30o gated stepped flume and a 52° crested spillway laboratory model. This numerical model leads to realistic results regarding mixture depth, mean flow velocity, air concentration and wave amplitudes of the flow free surface. Finally, on the basis of existing protections of embankment dams and previous studies, the present experimental and numerical results contribute to extend the knowledge of high velocity aerated flows over macro-roughness and to provide elements of guidelines to optimize stepped macro-roughness overlays for embankment dams safety.

EPFL2004

An experimental study of coherent structures, secondary currents and surface boils and their interrelation in open-channel flow

Ismail Albayrak

River and open-channel flows are free surface boundary layer flows with complex 3D, large-scale, turbulent structures. The study of 2D and 3D large-scale turbulent flow structures is a great challenge for physicists, mathematicians and engineers from such different domains as civil, environmental and mechanic engineering. Different processes can generate 3D, large-scale, turbulent structures which occur at the same time. On the one hand, large scale vortical structures such as secondary currents of Prandtl's second kind play an important role in the understanding of 3D turbulent structures in straight channels and rivers. Secondary currents affect bottom shear stress and longitudinal mean velocity, and contribute to sediment transport and air-water gas exchange by creating upwelling and downwelling motion in the water column. At the free surface, such upwelling and downwelling motion is an important mechanism for the air-water gas exchange and is considered to be responsible for surface boils. On the other hand, experimental work in turbulent boundary layers revealed the existence of bursting resulting in hairpin shaped structures which are responsible for the link between the inner and the outer layer. The interaction between these two layers in turbulent boundary layers is considered in terms of the dynamics of momentum, energy, and Reynolds shear stress transport. In order to advance in the understanding of this fundamental problem in turbulent open-channel flow, recently developed measurement and observation techniques are used in this Ph.D study. A non-intrusive Acoustic Doppler Velocity Profiler (ADVP), Surface Large Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) and a hot-film probe were combined in the investigation of coherent structures, secondary currents, surface boils and their interaction in turbulent rough-bed open-channel flow. The ADVP permits to measure 3D quasi-instantaneous velocity profiles in the entire water depth and to investigate the mean field and the fluctuating field of all three velocity components. The LSPIV system, developed at the LHE, allows visualizing the water surface and obtaining the surface velocity information in relation to instantaneous surface vortical structures. Bottom shear stress was measured with a sensor based on the hot film principle. The instruments provided the mean and instantaneous velocity field in the entire water depth and at the free surface. Six sets of experiments were carried out in turbulent rough bed open-channel for three different width-to-depth ratios (12.25, 15 and 20) at high, moderate and low Reynolds numbers. The results of the ADVP measurements show mean longitudinal velocity patterns undulating across the channel which indicate patterns of secondary currents in the mean flow structure. Upwelling regions can be identified by lower relative mean longitudinal velocities close to the free surface, and downwelling regions can be identified by higher relative mean longitudinal velocities. It is observed that the existence of secondary currents affects the distribution of bed shear stress and Reynolds stress across the channel. Bed shear stress show a cross-channel undulation pattern with bed shear stress in downwelling areas being higher than in upwelling areas. The Reynolds shear stress distribution in the water column has revealed the same undulating pattern. The number of secondary flow cells is determined by the aspect ratio and relative roughness. It is found that the bottom roughness elements of the channel bed make these longitudinal cells stable. The Reynolds number does not affect the spanwise position of the upwelling and downwelling regions of the secondary cells, but it does affect and slightly increase the normalized Reynolds shear stress. Secondary currents with cells whose dimensions are equal to the flow depth are the most stable and dominant pattern. Changes in the vorticity pattern causes changes in turbulence characteristics in upwelling and downwelling regions. Our study and existing investigations demonstrated that one of the most probable mechanisms for the initiation of multi cellular secondary currents is the mutual interaction between the rough bed and the pre-existing secondary currents near the side wall. The occurrence of small and large scale coherent structures, such as hairpin packets, and their relation to secondary currents are investigated through a quantitative analysis of instantaneous flow fields over the entire turbulent boundary layer across the channel. Uniform momentum zones are clearly detected in the instantaneous velocity fields in the longitudinal direction. In the logarithmic layer, the coherent vortex packets originating from the wall layer frequently occur within larger moving zones of uniform momentum, and extend up to the middle of the boundary layer. Good results in terms of dimension and position of large coherent structures relating to zones of uniform streamwise momentum support the concept of a dynamic link of hairpin packets and zonal organization in the outer layer. Secondary currents are large-scale streamwise vortical structures that affect the organization of coherent structures in the outer layer. More hairpin vortex packets could be carried by upwelling, with positive vertical velocity increasing the height of Zone 2. In the downwelling region, the height of Zone 2 and the growth angle of the hairpin packets decrease compared to the upwelling region, because of the negative vertical mean velocity of the secondary currents. This may prevent hairpin vortex packets from reaching the free surface due to the higher gradient of the longitudinal velocity. A quadrant analysis in the upwelling and downwelling regions revealed that in the wall region of downwelling areas, sweep events are dominant, and in the region close to the free surface, ejection events dominate over sweep events. The dominance of ejection events at the free surface explains the occurrence of a large number of surface boils observed in the upwelling regions. The measurements have shown that secondary currents and coherent structures are correlated, thus producing 3D flow structures. The results from LSPIV show a mean multi-cellular pattern of faster and slower primary longitudinal surface velocities. Streaks of faster longitudinal velocity are found in downwelling areas. Upwelling areas are identified with lower velocities. In addition, we observed mean transversal surface currents between upwelling and downwelling zones. We have shown that near the surface, ejections which are part of the large scale burst cycle are more common in upwelling zones between secondary current cells. Measurements reveal that these vortex boils mainly occur in upwelling areas with high vorticity, whereas downwelling areas show lower vorticity. Up- and downwelling zones, as well as surface boils are observed at all Reynolds numbers and aspect ratios. Therefore, they can be considered important processes in river dynamics and affect transport between the surface and the pelagic zone. Based on the combined results from LSPIV, ADVP and hot-film data, this study experimentally demonstrated that secondary currents, surface boils and coherent structures are correlated and produce 3D flow structures. The effect of secondary currents on tracer distribution in open-channel and river flow is to disperse and mix tracers in three dimensions more rapidly than would be the case if turbulent diffusion were acting alone. This has important consequences for pollutant spreading. Together with surface boil vortices, these currents contribute to surface renewal and gas transfer. In downwelling zones, the water masses moved along the surface by the transversal currents are transported downwards faster than by turbulent mixing. Again, the dispersion and mixing due to secondary currents discussed above will then provide for rapid 3D distribution in the entire water column. This thesis is a contribution to understanding of the transport and mixing dynamics in open-channel flow with an emphasis on the effects of coherent structures, secondary currents and surface boils, as well as the interaction between them. The information which was obtained advances the understanding of fine and large scale dynamics in open-channel flow. At the same time it contributes to the improvement of algorithms in numerical predictive water quality models, which in turn improve effective water resources management.

EPFL2008