Turbulence modeling of compound open-channel flows with and without vegetation on the floodplain using the Reynolds stress model

A Reynolds stress model for the numerical simulation of compound open-channel flows with vegetation on the floodplain is described. The Reynolds stress model consists of various sub-models such as Speziale et al.’s model, Mellor and Herring’s model, and Rotta’s model for the pressure–strain correlation term, the turbulent diffusion term, and the dissipation term, respectively. For validation of the model, plain compound open-channel flows are simulated. The computed results were compared with measured data by [Tominaga A, Nezu I. Turbulent structure in compound open-channel flows. J Hydraul Eng, ASCE 1991;117(1):21–41] and the results show that the Reynolds stress model successfully simulates the mean flow and turbulence structure of plain compound channel flows. The model was then applied to compound open-channel flows with vegetated floodplains. Good agreement between the simulated results and data from an algebraic stress model by [Naot D, Nezu I, Nakagawa H. Hydrodynamic behavior of partly vegetated open channels. J Hydraul Eng, ASCE 1996;122(11):625–33] was found. However, it was shown that the RSM is capable of predicting the velocity dip and lateral shift in the maximum streamwise velocity, which were not observed in the data from algebraic stress modeling. Finally, a depth-averaged analysis of the streamwise momentum equation was performed to investigate the lateral momentum transfer in compound channel flows with vegetated floodplains. Compared with components by the secondary currents and Reynolds stress, the drag force due to the presence of vegetation appears to be a factor in reducing the bottom shear stress in both main channel and floodplain.