Turbulent simulation of open channel flow at low Reynolds number

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 259 - 266
• Main Authors: Thomas, T.G., Williams, J.J.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Channel flow; Computer simulation; Deformation; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid mechanics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Non-newtonian fluid flows; Physics; Reynolds number; Surfaces; Turbulence; Turbulence simulation and modeling; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; Velocity; Reynolds stress; Low Reynolds number; Turbulence; Turbulent flow; Medium speed; Open channel flow; Free surface flow; Numerical simulation; Modeling
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/0017-9310(95)90011-X

A numerical technique for simulating turbulent flows in which the free surface is allowed to undergo arbitrarily large deformations and is subject only to a maximum slope limit is applied to turbulent open channel flow at a Reynolds number of approximately 3000 based on the surface velocity and depth. The test problem has been extensively studied in the literature and allows detailed comparisons to be made. It is found that the method is in general agreement with published results and can be used for a more extensive examination of turbulent fluid mechanics at a free surface.