| Abstract: | The detailed three-dimensional structure of the flow patterns in river bends with separated flow and factors controlling the existence and characteristics of these flow patterns are unclear at present. It is shown here, firstly, how a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program may be used to reproduce the qualitative features of the mean flow in a real river bend to allow testing of the model's capabilities. It is then shown how the CFD code may be used to construct hypothetical channel bends which allow the experimentation necessary to investigate the controls on the extent of the separated flow. |
