Calculation of primary and secondary flow and boundary shear stresses in a meandering channel

Turbulent flow in a meandering channel is computed with two Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes solving the Navier–Stokes equations by employing different turbulence closure approaches. The first CFD code solves the steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes equations (RANS) using an isotropic turbulence closure. The second code is based on the concept of Large Eddy Simulation (LES). LES resolves the large-scale turbulence structures in the flow and is known to outperform RANS models in flows in which large-scale structures dominate the statistics. The results obtained from the two codes are compared with experimental data from a physical model study. Both, LES and RANS simulation, predict the primary helical flow pattern in the meander as well as the occurrence of an outer-bank secondary cell. Computed primary as well as secondary flow velocities are in reasonably good agreement with experimental data. Evidence is given that the outer-bank secondary cell in a meander bend is the residual of the main secondary cell of the previous bend. However, the RANS code, regardless of the turbulence model employed, overpredicts the size and strength of the outer-bank secondary cell. Furthermore, only LES is able to uphold the outer-bank second secondary cell beyond the bend apex until the exit of the bend as turbulence anisotropy contributes to its persistence. The presence of multiple secondary cells has important consequences for the distribution of shear stresses along the wetted perimeter of the channel, and thereby the sediment transport in meandering channels. Consequently, even though LES is expected to compute the bed-shear stresses along the wetted perimeter of the channel with a higher degree of accuracy than the RANS model, comparisons between LES and RANS computed wall shear stresses agree well. These findings are useful for practitioners who need to rely on RANS model predictions of the flow in meandering channels at field scale.     

Mesozoic palaeomagnetism in Vestfjella, Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica

Summary. Thermal and alternating field demagnetization of oriented samples of Mesozoic lava flows (200–230 Myr) and dykes (154–172Myr) collected from seven nunataks within the Vestfjella region, Dronning Maud Land, revealed stable directions of magnetization of normal and reverse polarity. Directional distributions of both polarities define tight groups along the same palaeomagnetic axis. Depending on whether the regional westward dip of the lava flows originated prior to, or after the intrusive igneous phase, two or one, respectively, palaeomagnetic pole(s) can be estimated. Both poles, however, are in general accord with previous Mesozoic poles from East Antarctica.     

中国黄土磁学与古气候(英文)

近二十年来中国黄土环境磁学的研究基本上是沿着两条主线进行的 ,即磁性地层学和古气候研究两个方面。对早先确定的典型黄土剖面的磁性地层研究表明风成黄土的堆积开始于Matuyama的下界 ,约 2 .6Ma。而近年来对黄土古土壤序列之下的红粘土的进一步研究显示风成堆积的开始比原先认为的要早的多 ,至少可追溯到约 7Ma。尽管目前在古土壤磁化率的增强机制和磁化率如何记录古气候变化等问题上还没有达成广泛的一致 ,而黄土古土壤系列磁化率与深海氧同位素的良好对比可证实中国黄土确是记录全球气候变化非常理想的信息载体。近年来许多学者尝试性提出的其它古气候替代性指标 ,如全岩粒度、稳定同位素组成、FeD/FeT指标、Rb/Sr比值和CaCO3 含量等必将为重建古季风变化和古气候提供重要信息。