3D Numerical Simulation of Overbank Flow in Non-Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinates

1.Introduction Riverflowsinacompoundchannelofteninundatetheadjacentplainsathighdischarges.This generatesacomplicatedflowstructurebetweenthemainchannelflowandthefloodplainflow.In straightchannels,thevelocitydifferencebetweentheflowinthemainchannelandthatontheflood plainisoneofthemostdistinctivecharacteristics.Thisintroducesseveralphysicalandphenomenologi calfeaturesaroundthejunctionbetweenthemainchannelandthefloodplain,namely,theformation ofahighhorizontalshearlayerandstreamwiseandverticalvorti…

3D Numerical Simulation of Overbank Flow in Non-Orthogonal Curvilinear Coordinates

The velocity field in meandering compound channels with overhank flow is highly three dimensional. To date, its features have been investigated experimentally and little research has been undertaken to investigate the feasibility of reproducing these velocity fields with computer models. If computer modeling were to prove successful in this context, it could become a useful prediction technique and research tool to enhance our understanding of natural river dynamics. A 3-D k-E turbulence hydrodynamic model in curvilinear coordinates is established to simulate the overhank flow. The bodyfitted coordinate is adopted in the horizontal plane, the part grid is adopted in the vertical direction, and the wall-function method is employed to simulate the bed resistance. The model is applied to the simulation of the meandering channel with straight flood plain banks, and the main velocities and secondary velocities for both the longitudinal and cross sections are presented. Comparison and analysis show that the results of simulation are fit to reflect the results of experiment. These results show the application value of the model to 3D overhank flow.