Showing papers in "Journal of Hydraulic Engineering in 2009"

Comparison of 1D/1D and 1D/2D Coupled (Sewer/Surface) Hydraulic Models for Urban Flood Simulation

Abstract: Recent developments in flood modeling have led to the concept of coupled (sewer/surface) hydraulic models. In this paper two coupled models are examined; a one-dimensional (1D) sewer model coupled with a 1D surface network model (1D/1D) and a 1D sewer model coupled with a two-dimensional (2D) surface flow model (1D/2D). Flow over the terrain is better modeled by 2D models, whereas in confined channels 1D models provide a good approximation with less computational effort. This paper presents a comparison of the simulation results of 1D/1D model and a 1D/2D model. The methodology adopted for setting up the models is outlined and explained in detail as well as the 1D/1D modeling techniques used for reproducing the 1D/2D model results. The surface flow comparison clarifies the limitations of the 1D/1D model and indicates that the definition of the surface pathways, the linking elements sewer/surface, and inclusion of virtual manholes are key factors for setting up a more accurate 1D/1D model.

Effect of Sediment Size Scaling on Physical Modeling of Bridge Pier Scour

Abstract: Local pier scour experiments were performed in the laboratory to investigate the effect of relative sediment size on pier scour depth using three uniform sediment sizes and three bridge pier designs at different geometric model scales. When the data from a large number of experimental and field investigations are filtered according to a Froude number criterion, the effect of relative sediment size on dimensionless pier scour depth is brought into focus. The choice of sediment size in the laboratory model distorts the value of the ratio of pier width to sediment size in comparison with the prototype which in turn causes larger values of scour depth in the laboratory than in the field. This model distortion due to sediment size is shown to be related to the scaling of the large-scale unsteadiness of the horseshoe vortex by studying the relevant time scales of its coherent structure upstream of a bridge pier using acoustic Doppler velocimeter measurements. Observations of sediment movement, probability distributions of velocity components, and phase-averaging of velocity measured upstream of a bridge pier reveal properties of coherent motions that are discussed in terms of their contribution to the relationship between dimensionless pier scour depth and the ratio of pier width to sediment size over a large range of physical scales.

Optimal Cross-Sectional Spacing in Preissmann Scheme 1D Hydrodynamic Models

Abstract: Choosing a suitable set of cross sections for the representation of the natural geometry of a river is important for the efficiency of one-dimensional (1D) hydraulic models, but only few guidelines are available for the selection of the most suitable distance between cross sections, depending on the hydraulic problem at hand. This issue is investigated by examining models of a ~55 km reach of the River Po, Italy, and a ~16 km reach of the River Severn, United Kingdom, for both of which high quality laser scanning altimetry are available. The high-resolution digital terrain models of the two river reaches enabled the construction of a series of hypothetical topographical ground surveys with different spacing between cross sections, which could be used as input to a standard 1D model (UNET). Both historical and synthetic flood events for the two river reaches were simulated, and the results were then analyzed to quantify the accuracy associated with each resolution and to assess how survey resolution impacts the performance of standard 1D models. The study results agree with the available suggestions in the literature and provide useful guidelines for 1D hydrodynamic modeling.

Detached Eddy Simulation Investigation of Turbulence at a Circular Pier with Scour Hole

Abstract: This paper uses results from detached eddy simulation to reveal the dynamics of large-scale coherent eddies in the flow around a circular pier with an equilibrium scour hole. This is important for the sediment transport because the local scour process is controlled to a large extent by the large-scale coherent structures present in the near-bed region. The present paper investigates the dynamics of these coherent structures, their interactions and their role in entraining sediment in the later stages of the scour process when the horseshoe vortex system is stabilized by the presence of a large scour hole. The pier Reynolds number was 2.06× 105 , outside the range of well-resolved large-eddy simulation (LES). Additionally, scale effects are investigated based on comparison with LES results obtained at a much lower Reynolds number of 16,000 in a previous investigation. The paper provides a detailed study of the dynamics of the main necklace vortices of the horseshoe vortex system, including an investigation...

Real-time demand estimation and confidence limit analysis for water distribution systems

Abstract: A real-time estimation of water distribution system state variables such as nodal pressures and chlorine concentrations can lead to savings in time and money and provide better customer service. While a good knowledge of nodal demands is prerequisite for pressure and water quality prediction, little effort has been placed in real-time demand estimation. This study presents a real-time demand estimation method using field measurement provided by supervisory control and data acquisition systems. For real-time demand estimation, a recursive state estimator based on weighted least-squares scheme and Kalman filter are applied. Furthermore, based on estimated demands, real-time nodal pressures and chlorine concentrations are predicted. The uncertainties in demand estimates and predicted state variables are quantified in terms of confidence limits. The approximate methods such as first-order second-moment analysis and Latin hypercube sampling are used for uncertainty quantification and verified by Monte Carlo simulation. Application to a real network with synthetically generated data gives good demand estimations and reliable predictions of nodal pressure and chlorine concentration. Alternative measurement data sets are compared to assess the value of measurement types for demand estimation. With the defined measurement error magnitudes, pipe flow data are significantly more important than pressure head measurements in estimating demands with a high degree of confidence.

Experimental Observations of Flow and Bed Processes in Large-Amplitude Meandering Flume

Abstract: Meanders of large amplitude often exhibit asymmetric planform shape or subsidiary bends. The present work is aimed at improving on understanding of the morphodynamic phenomena affecting the bed evolution of large amplitude meandering channels. Attention is focused on the development of the steady point bar-pool configuration and of the superimposed large-scale migrating bed forms; of particular interest is the role of the changing channel curvature and bed topography variation on flow pattern. A series of experiments was carried out in a sine-generated large-amplitude meandering flume, for two values of width-to-depth ratio. Maps documenting the bed topography and the flow pattern along the meandering bends are reported. Two point bars per bend were observed and seem to be part of a series of damped oscillations developing in response to the changing channel curvature. In response to the bed deformation, the maximum flow velocity moves at the outer bank at the entrance of the bend.

Skimming Flow in the Nonaerated Region of Stepped Spillways over Embankment Dams

Abstract: Traditionally, research on stepped spillway hydraulics has been focused on the air-water flow region but for the hydraulic design of small embankment dams experiencing relatively large overtopping flows, the nonaerated region can be very important. Empirical formulas are presented for predicting skimming flow properties upstream of the point of inception of air entrainment for 1V:2H sloping stepped spillways, and the location and flow depth at the point of inception. Particular emphasis is placed on the clear-water depth, velocity distribution, and the energy dissipation characteristics in the developing nonaerated flow region. The velocity distribution is well described by a power law. The normalized clear-water depth and the normalized specific energy varied with the relative distance along the spillway and the effect of the normalized critical depth was negligible. Finally, the rate of energy dissipation was small, which has direct implications for the design of the downstream energy dissipator.

Sensitivity Analysis for Hydraulic Models

Abstract: Sensitivity analysis is well recognized as being an important aspect of the responsible use of hydraulic models. This paper reviews a range of methods for sensitivity analysis. Two applications, one to a simple pipe bend example and the second to an advanced Shallow Water Equation solver, illustrate the deficiencies of standardized regression coefficients in the context of functionally nonlinear models. Derivatives and other local methods of sensitivity analysis are shown to give an incomplete picture of model response over the range of variability in the model inputs. The use of global variance-based sensitivity analysis is shown to be more general in its applicability and in its capacity to reflect nonlinear processes and the effects of interactions among variables.

Hydrodynamic Investigation of Coastal Bridge Collapse during Hurricane Katrina

Abstract: A number of U.S. coastal bridges have been destroyed by hurricanes, including three highway bridges in Mississippi and Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina (2005). This paper addresses three fundamental questions on the coastal bridge failures: (1) what were the hydrodynamic conditions near the failed bridge during the hurricane; (2) what was the cause of the bridge collapse; and (3) what was the magnitude of the hydrodynamic loading on the bridge under the extreme hurricane conditions. Guided by field observations of winds, waves, and water levels, two numerical models for storm surges and water waves are coupled to hindcast the hydrodynamic conditions. Fairly good agreement between the modeled and measured high watermarks and offshore wave heights is found, allowing an estimate of the surge and wave conditions near the bridges in nested domains with higher resolutions. The output of the coupled wave-surge models is utilized to determine the static buoyant force and wave forces on the bridge superstructure based on empirical equations derived from small-scale hydraulic tests for elevated decks used in the coastal and offshore industry. It is inferred that the bridge failure was caused by the wind waves accompanied by the storm surge, which raised the water level to an elevation where surface waves generated by strong winds over a relatively short fetch were able to strike the bridge superstructure. The storm waves produced both an uplift force and a horizontal force on the bridge decks. The magnitude of wave uplift force from individual waves exceeded the weight of the simple span bridge decks and the horizontal force overcame the resistance provided by the connections of the bridge decks to the pilings. The methodology for determining the hydrodynamic forcing on bridge decks can be used to produce a preliminary assessment of the vulnerability of existing coastal bridges in hurricane-prone areas.

Developing Flow Region and Pressure Fluctuations on Steeply Sloping Stepped Spillways

Abstract: The hydrodynamic pressure field is important for the design and safety of steeply sloping stepped spillways, which are typically designed for considerably lower maximum specific discharges than smooth spillways. The hydraulic performance of stepped spillways at high velocities may compromise its use due to major concern with safety against cavitation damage. Hydraulic model investigations were conducted in different large-size stepped chutes to characterize the nonaerated flow region which is potentially prone to cavitation damage and the pressure field acting on the step faces. The clear water depths and energy dissipation in the developing flow region are described in terms of integral measures of the turbulent boundary layer. Expressions for the location of and the flow depth at the inception point of air entrainment are derived. Pressure distributions on the horizontal and vertical faces of the step along the spillway are presented. Measurements indicated a different behavior of the pressure field in the aerated and nonaerated flow region. The mean and fluctuating pressure coefficients along the spillway are approximated by a regression function. The vertical face near the outer step edge close to the inception point of air entrainment is identified as a critical region for predicting cavitation inception in flow over stepped spillways. From the analysis of the pressure fluctuations in that region a maximum velocity of 15 m/s is proposed as a criterion to avoid extreme negative pressures in typical prototype steeply sloping stepped spillways, eventually leading to the occurrence of cavitation in the nonaerated flow.

Discharge Characteristics of Weirs of Finite Crest Length

Abstract: This technical note presents a critical analysis flow over weirs of finite crest length, with square-edged or rounded entrance, for free-flow conditions. Using the flow equation for the broad-crested weir with parallel flow in the critical state as the basis, we have defined the discharge coefficient C d , with the head on the weir as the length scale. Based on an extensive analysis of the experimental observations in the literature, we have confirmed the classification of finite crest length weirs into four classes of long-crested, broad-crested, short-crested, and sharp-crested weirs. For the square-edged entrance, we have developed robust correlations for C d when the Weber number is greater than 1. For weirs with a rounded entrance, for which the data set is not that extensive compared to the square-edged case, we have developed good correlations for C d .

Calculation of Contraction Coefficient under Sluice Gates and Application to Discharge Measurement

Abstract: The contraction coefficient under sluice gates on flat beds is studied for both free flow and submerged conditions based on the principle of momentum conservation, relying on an analytical determination of the pressure force exerted on the upstream face of the gate together with the energy equation. The contraction coefficient varies with the relative gate opening and the relative submergence, especially at large gate openings. The contraction coefficient may be similar in submerged flow and free flow at small openings but not at large openings, as shown by some experimental results. An application to discharge measurement is also presented.

Unifying criterion for the velocity reversal hypothesis in gravel-bed rivers

Abstract: It has been hypothesized that velocity reversals provide a mechanism for maintaining pool-riffle morphology in gravel-bed rivers—an important habitat for salmonids, which are at risk in many places worldwide and that are the focus of extensive environmental legislation in Europe and North America. However, the occurrence of velocity reversals has been controversial for over 3 decades. We present a simple one-dimensional criterion that unifies and explains previous disparate findings regarding the occurrence of velocity reversals. Results show that reversal depends critically on the ratio of riffle-to-pool width, residual pool depth difference between pool and riffle elevations, and on the depth of flow over the riffle, suggesting that land management activities which alter channel form or divert water from the channel can have negative impacts on the sustainability of pool-riffle habitat in gravel-bed rivers.

Ecological and Hydraulic Studies of Step-Pool Systems

Abstract: The ecological and hydraulic features of step-pool systems are studied by field investigation, measurement, sampling, and analysis. The study is done on Shengou and Jiuzhai Creeks, where step-pool systems have developed, Fork Gully, where a step-pool system is developing, and the Jinsha River and Jiangjia and Xiaobaini Ravines, where there is no step-pool system. Boulders, cobbles, and gravel tightly interlock and form the steps having an inherent stability that only extreme floods are likely to disturb. Gravel and sand deposit in the pools behind the steps. These steps and pools provide high diversity of habitat for the stream biocommunity. The density of benthic macroinvertebrates in streams with step-pool systems is several 100 times higher than neighboring streams without step-pool systems. A new habitat diversity index is proposed considering the spatial distribution of various substrates, velocity, and water depth. The study reveals that the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates increases with habitat diversity. Measurements with a specially designed instrument were done to study the development of step-pool systems and its effects on resistance to the flow and stream bed stability. A step-pool system maximizes the flow resistance and protects the bed sediment from erosion. Thus, the riverbed and bank slope are stabilized. The development degree of step pools is proportional to the streambed slope. The bed resistance increases with the development degree of step pools. Riverbed inertia represents the stability of the streambed. The development of step-pool systems greatly increases the riverbed inertia, and, therefore, maximizes streambed stability.

Mean Flow and Turbulence around a Laboratory Spur Dike

Abstract: The three-dimensional turbulent flow field around a spur dike in a plane fixed-bed laboratory open channel was studied experimentally using a microacoustic Doppler velocimeter. Mean and turbulence characteristics in all three spatial directions were evaluated at upstream and downstream cross sections near the dike. Results showed that the primary flow separated in both lateral and vertical directions. Two counter-rotating flow circulations, consisting of the lateral and vertical velocity components, originated at the dike section. Downstream of the dike, the circulation in the flow-separation zone is stronger than the one in the contracted primary flow zone. The maximum bed-shear stresses estimated using Reynolds stresses is about three times as large as the mean bed-shear stress of incoming flow.

Countermeasures against Local Scouring at Bridge Piers: Slot and Combined System of Slot and Bed Sill

Abstract: Results are presented and discussed from two laboratory experimental campaigns specifically designed to investigate the behavior of a slot as countermeasure against local scouring at a smooth circular bridge pier, close to threshold flow conditions of initiation of uniform sediment motion. The investigation was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of the slot by changing its sinking depth into a sand bed, and assessing the dependence of the scour depth on different dimensionless groups. The results showed that the slot reduces the local scour at pier. The maximum reduction of the scour depth was about 30% (about 70% for both scour area and volume) in the best configurations. A combined countermeasure is also proposed and tested, consisting of a slot and a bed sill placed downstream of the pier and adjacent to it: in the best configuration, the scour reduction in front of the pier reached about 45% on average (with about 80 and 90% for scour area and volume, respectively). This last result shows that a combination of slot and bed sill may be a very effective countermeasure against local scouring at bridge piers.

Storm-water infiltration and focused recharge modeling with finite-volume two-dimensional Richards equation: application to an experimental rain garden

Abstract: Rain gardens are infiltration systems that provide volume and water quality control, recharge enhancement, as well as landscape, ecological, and economic benefits. A model for application to rain gardens based on Richards equation coupled to a surface water balance was developed, using a two-dimensional finite-volume code. It allows for alternating upper boundary conditions, including ponding and overflow, and can simulate heterogeneous soil-layering or more complex geometries to estimate infiltration and recharge. The algorithm is conservative, and exhibits good performance compared to standard models for several test cases (less than 0.1% absolute mass balance error); simulations were also performed for an experimental rain garden and comparisons to collected data are presented. The model accurately simulated the matrix flow, soil water distribution, as well as deep percolation (potential recharge) for a natural rainfall event in the controlled experimental setup.

Test of a Method to Calculate Near-Bank Velocity and Boundary Shear Stress

Abstract: Detailed knowledge of the flow and boundary shear stress fields near the banks of natural channels is essential for making accurate calculations of rates of near-bank sediment transport and geomorphic adjustment. This paper presents a high-resolution laboratory data set of velocity and boundary shear stress measurements and uses it to test a relatively simple, fully predictive, numerical method for determining these distributions across the cross-section of a straight channel. The measurements are made in a flume with a fairly complex cross-section that includes a simulated, cobble-roughened floodplain. The method tested is that reported by Kean and Smith in Riparian Vegetation and Fluvial Geomorphology in 2004, which is modified here to include the effects of drag on clasts located in the channel. The calculated patterns of velocity and boundary shear stress are shown to be in reasonable agreement with the measurements. The principal differences between the measured and calculated fields are the result of secondary circulations, which are not included in the calculation. Better agreement with the structure of the measured streamwise velocity field is obtained by distorting the calculated flow field with the measured secondary flow. Calculations for a variety of narrower and wider configurations of the original flume geometry are used to show how the width-to-depth ratio affects the distribution of velocity and boundary shear stress across the channel.

Constriction Effects in Clear-Water Scour at Abutments

Abstract: The erosion process at a bridge abutment may be affected by the flow constriction when the abutment occupies a significant part of the flume width. We devised a specific experimental campaign to investigate the effect of the obstruction ratio (i.e., the ratio between the abutment length and the channel width) on the erosion depth: we performed homogeneous series of clear-water scour experiments in each of which the obstruction ratio was the only parameter that varied. The experimental results are presented in light of a dimensionless framework. It was found that the effect of the obstruction ratio on the time development of local scour depth may not be large; nevertheless, significant effect can be observed, even for relatively small values of the parameter during the earliest phases. The latter are important, for example, for the step-by-step modeling of the erosion development under unsteady flow conditions. We propose a simple equation to quantify the scour enhancement due to the flow constriction in c...

Assessment of hydrodynamic separators for storm-water treatment

Abstract: Hydrodynamic separators are proprietary underground devices designed to remove floatable debris e.g., leaves, trash, oil and to remove suspended solids from storm-water runoff by sedimentation. They are designed for storm-water treatment in urban areas to meet tight space constraints. Limited data on the suspended solids removal performance of installed devices are available, and existing data are questionable because of the problems associated with assessment by monitoring. The objectives of our research are to: 1 investigate the feasibility and practicality of field testing to assess the performance of hydrodynamic separators as underground storm-water treatment devices; 2 evaluate the effects of sediment size and storm-water discharge on the performance of six devices from different manufac- turers; and 3 develop a universal approach for predicting the performance of a device for any given application. In the field tests, a controlled and reproducible synthetic storm event containing sediment of a well defined size distribution and concentration was fed to a precleaned device. The captured sediment was then removed, dried, sieved, and weighed. To assess the performance of the devices, suspended sediment removal efficiency was related to a Peclet number, which accounts for two major processes that control performance: 1 settling of particles; and 2 turbulent diffusion or mixing of particles. After analyzing the data, all devices showed similar behavior, therefore, a three-parameter performance function was proposed for all devices. Performance functions were developed from the result of the field tests and parallel testing of two other full-scale devices in the laboratory. The performance functions can be used to determine the efficiency of the tested devices and to improve the selection and sizing of hydrodynamic separators and the assessment of their overall performance after installation.

Development of the Bélanger Equation and Backwater Equation by Jean-Baptiste Bélanger (1828)

Abstract: A hydraulic jump is the sudden transition from a high-velocity to a low-velocity open channel flow. The application of the momentum principle to the hydraulic jump is commonly called the Belanger equation, but few know that Belanger's (1828) treatise was focused on the study of gradually varied open channel flows. Further, although Belanger understood the rapidly-varied nature of the jump flow, he applied incorrectly the Bernoulli principle in 1828, and corrected his approach 10 years later. In 1828, his true originality lay in the successful development of the backwater equation for steady, one-dimensional gradually-varied flows in an open channel, together with the introduction of the step method, distance calculated from depth, and the concept of critical flow conditions.

Modeling the Evolution of Incised Streams. III: Model Application

Abstract: Incision and the ensuing widening of alluvial stream channels represent important forms of channel adjustment. Two accom- panying papers have presented a robust computational model for simulating the long-term evolution of incised and restored or rehabili- tated stream corridors. This work reports on applications of the model to two incised streams in northern Mississippi, James Creek, and the Yalobusha River, to assess: 1 its capability to simulate the temporal progression of incised streams through the different stages of channel evolution; and 2 model performance when available input data regarding channel geometry and physical properties of channel boundary materials are limited in the case of James Creek. Model results show that temporal changes in channel geometry are satisfactorily simulated. The mean absolute deviation MAD between observed and simulated changes in thalweg elevations is 0.16 m for the Yalobusha River and 0.57 m for James Creek, which is approximately 8.1 and 23% of the average degradation of the respective streams. The MAD between observed and simulated changes in channel top width is 5.7% of the channel top width along the Yalobusha River and 31% of the channel top width along James Creek. The larger discrepancies for James Creek are mainly due to unknown initial channel geometry along its upper part. The model applications also emphasize the importance of accurate characterization of channel boundary materials and geometry.

Control of Scour at Bridge Piers by a Downstream Bed Sill

Abstract: Results are presented from laboratory experiments to investigate the effectiveness of bed sills as countermeasures against local scouring at a smooth circular bridge pier, for flow conditions near the threshold of uniform sediment motion. The bed sill was located downstream of the pier, and its effectiveness with the distance between pier and sill was evaluated. The dependence of the scour depth on different dimensionless groups was defined. The results showed that a bed sill placed at a short distance downstream of the pier reduces the scour depth, area, and volume. In particular, the smaller the distance between the two structures, the larger the effectiveness of the countermeasure. The bed sill seems to take effect some time after the beginning of the test, as the scour hole downstream of the bridge pier develops sufficiently and interacts with the countermeasure.

Modeling Floating Objects at River Structures

Abstract: More than half of the commercially navigable waterways in the United States are adversely impacted at some time by ice and debris conditions that hinder operation and delay navigation. This paper describes a method of combining a depth-averaged two-dimensional flow model and a discrete element model customized to simulate floating objects such as ice and debris. The flow model is the shallow-water equation module of the adaptive hydraulics system. The discrete element model (DEM) is based on a method that has been used to simulate river ice and debris accumulations and vessels such as barges. The modeling system provides designers of hydraulic structures, bridges, and ice control structures, a physically based method to evaluate design alternatives in dealing with problems due to the presence of floating objects. Descriptions of the flow model and the DEM are presented, and then numerical applications are provided, demonstrating the modeling of debris passage at the Harlan Diversion Tunnel and the evaluation of navigation conditions attributed to the guard wall at the Greenup Locks and Dam.

Muddy Sediment Erosion: Insights from Field Studies

Abstract: Studies on cohesive sediment erosion can be traced back to the mid-1950s, and since that time many of the benchmark papers describing the response of settled mud beds to fluid stress have been published in the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering. Relatively few main players, in particular three professors, have dominated the stage: R. Krone, A. Mehta, and E. Partheniades. Mehta and Partheniades continue to publish, but sadly Krone passed away in 2000. Their work has provided a cornerstone to cohesive sediment research, outlining the fundamental aspects of the erosion process as well as some of the controlling factors. Following recognition of the importance of the thixotropic properties of mud, there has been a move toward direct in-situ experimentation. Quite literally, the laboratory has been taken into the field. This has been possible through the development of field-portable or “benthic” flumes. Many of these developments have been published in the nonengineering marine scientific literature and have not come to the general notice of the engineering fraternity. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the knowledge gained from this work, highlighting both advances and shortcomings, and to place it within the contextual framework of the earlier studies of Krone, Mehta, Partheniades, and others.

Numerical Oscillations in Pipe-Filling Bore Predictions by Shock-Capturing Models

Abstract: The introduction of nonlinear, shock-capturing schemes has improved numerical predictions of hydraulic bores, but significant numerical oscillations have been reported in the predictions of pipe-filling bore fronts associated with the transition between open-channel and pressurized flow regimes. These oscillations can compromise the stability of numerical models. A study of these oscillations indicates that the strength of the numerical oscillations is associated with the sharp discontinuities in the flow parameters across the jump, particularly the wave celerity. Approaches to attenuate oscillations by artificially reducing acoustic wave speeds may result in the loss of simulation accuracy. Two new techniques to attenuate the oscillation amplitudes are presented, the first based on numerical filtering of the oscillations and the second based on a new flux function that judiciously introduces numerical diffusion only in the vicinity of the bore front. Both approaches are effective in decreasing the strength of the numerical oscillations.

Maximum Local Scour Depth at Bridge Piers under Unsteady Flow

Abstract: The temporal effect of hydrograph on local scour depth is investigated under clear-water scour condition. By analyzing the characteristics of scour-depth evolutions at bridge piers for different rising hydrographs, a relation for estimating the maximum scour depth in uniform sediment is proposed. In the relation, the flow unsteadiness effect is taken into account by an unsteady flow parameter combining the peak-flow intensity and time-to-peak factors. For nonuniform sediment with d84 employed as the effective sediment size, this relation can yield reasonably good results of the maximum scour depth under rising hydrograph.

URANS Computations of Shallow Grid Turbulence

Abstract: This paper describes the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) computations of a quasi-two-dimensional (2D) grid turbulence in shallow open-channel flows, generated downstream of multiple piers aligned at regular intervals over the channel width. In shallow open-channel flows, the vertical confinement of the flow generally suppresses the three dimensionality and attains two-dimensional features with up-cascading of turbulent kinetic energy from small-scale toward large-scale structures. In this study, 2D depth averaged and 3D Reynolds-averaged equations with linear and nonlinear URANS turbulence models are applied to a shallow open-channel flow downstream of multiple piers and numerical results are discussed through a comparison with the experimental results performed by Uijttewaal and Jirka in 2003. We employed 0-equation models and k-e models for the 2D and 3D computations, respectively. In 2D computations, vortices downstream of the grid occurred synchronously in the computation with both th...

Hydraulics of tangential vortex intake for urban drainage

Abstract: A tangential vortex intake is a compact structure that can convey storm water efficiently as a swirling flow down a vortex dropshaft It has been studied in physical models and successfully employed in urban drainage and hydroelectric plant applications, but a comprehensive account of the key flow characteristics has not been reported and a theoretical design guideline of a tangential intake is not available In this study the hydraulics of tangential slot vortex intakes is investigated via extensive experiments It is found that the flow in the tapering and downward sloping vortex inlet channel is strongly dependent on the geometry of the inlet and dropshaft Under some conditions, hydraulic instability and overflow can occur, rendering the design ineffective It is shown that the hydraulic stability depends on the discharge at which flow control shifts from upstream to downstream ( Qc ) , as well as the free drainage discharge ( Qf ) A theoretical design criterion for stable flow is developed in terms

New Solution of Classical Hydraulic Jump

Abstract: This technical note, applying dimensional analysis and incomplete self-similarity, proposes a new functional relationship for the sequent depth ratio for hydraulic jumps over both smooth and rough horizontal beds. For the smooth bed condition, experimental measurements in the literature were used to calibrate the new relationship. For the rough bed condition the data of a previous investigation were used with new measurements carried out in a rectangular horizontal flume having a gravel bed. Finally, a generalized solution of the sequent depth ratio is proposed.