This paper addresses the problem of the renormalization group k turbulence modeling of a vegetated multi-stage compound channel. Results from Micro acoustic Doppler velocimeter（ADV） tests are used with time and spatial averaging（doubleaveraging method） in the analysis of the flow field and the characterization. Comparisons of the mean velocity, the Reynolds stress, and the turbulent energy distribution show the validity of the computational method. The mean velocity profile sees an obvious deceleration in the terraces because of vegetation. Secondary flow exists mainly at the junction of the main channel and the vegetation region on the first terrace. The bed shear stress in the main channel is much greater than that in the terraces. The difference of the bed shear stress between two terraces is insignificant, and the presence of vegetation can effectively reduce the bed shear stress.
It is now over half a century since Keulegan conducted his open channel flow experiments. Over the past decades, many empirical formulae were proposed based on his results, however, there is still not a combined expression to describe the effects of friction over all hydraulic regions in open channel flows. Therefore, in this letter, based on the analysis of the implicit model and the logarithmic matching method, the results of Keulegan （for authentic experiment data are no longer available, here we adopt the analytical solutions given by Dou） are rescaled into one monotone curve by combining the Reynolds number and the relative roughness of the river bed. A united expression that could cover the entire turbulence regions and be validated with Dou＇s analytical solutions is suggested to estimate the friction factor throughout the turbulent region in open channel flows, with higher accuracy than that of the previous formulas.
An analytical solution for predicting the vertical distribution of streamwise mean velocity in an open channel flow with submerged flexible vegetation is proposed when large bending occurs. The flow regime is separated into two horizontal layers： a vegetation layer and a free water layer. In the vegetation layer, a mechanical analysis for the flexible vegetation is conducted, and an approximately linear relationship between the drag force of bending vegetation and the streamwise mean flow velocity is observed in the case of large deflection, which differes significantly from the case of rigid upright vegetation. Based on the theoretical analysis, a linear streamwise drag force-mean flow velocity expression in the momentum equation is derived, and an analytical solution is obtained. For the free water layer, a new expression is presented, replacing the traditional logarithmic velocity distribution, to obtain a zero velocity gradient at the water surface. Finally, the analytical predictions are compared with published experimental data, and the good agreement demonstrates that this model is effective for the open channel flow through the large deflection flexible vegetation.
The effect of vegetation on the flow structure and the dispersion in a 180 o curved open channel is studied. The Micro ADV is used to measure the flow velocities both in the vegetation cases and the non-vegetation case. It is shown that the velocities in the vegetation area are much smaller than those in the non-vegetation area and a large velocity gradient is generated between the vegetation area and the non-vegetation area. The transverse and longitudinal dispersion coefficients are analyzed based on the experimental data by using the modified N- zone models. It is shown that the effect of the vegetation on the transverse dispersion coefficient is small, involving only changes of a small magnitude, however, since the primary velocities become much more inhomogeneous with the presence of the vegetation, the longitudinal dispersion coefficients are much larger than those in the non-vegetation case.
A numerical analysis model based on two-dimensional shallow water differential equations is presented for straight open-channel flow with partial vegetation across the channel. Both the drag force acting on vegetation and the momentum exchange between the vegetation and non-vegetation zones are considered. The depth-averaged streamwise velocity is solved by the singular perturbation method, while the Reynolds stress is calculated based on the results of the streamwise velocity. Comparisons with the experimental data indicate that the accuracy of prediction is significantly improved by introducing a term for the secondary current in the model. A sensitivity analysis shows that a sound choice of the secondary current intensity coefficient is important for an accurate prediction of the depth-averaged streamwise velocity near the vegetation and non-vegetation interfaces, and the drag force coefficient is crucial for predictions in the vegetation zone.
