Flow structures at an idealized bifurcation : a numerical experiment

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

HARDY, R.J.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Durham, Royaume-Uni

LANE, S.N.

Inst. de Géographie, Fac. des Géosciences et de l'Environnement, Univ., Lausanne, Suisse

YU, D.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Loughborough, Royaume-Uni

Description :
This paper presents results of a numerical sensitivity experiment undertaken using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the purpose of understanding the flow dynamics of a series of idealized bifurcations. A geometric sensitivity analysis is undertaken for a range of channel slopes (0.005 to 0.03), bifurcation angles (22° to 42°) and a restricted set of inflow conditions based upon simulating flow through meander bends with different curvature on the flow field dynamics through the bifurcation. The results demonstrate that the overall slope of the bifurcation affects the velocity of flow through the bifurcation and when slope asymmetry is introduced, the flow structures in the bifurcation are modified.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2011, vol. 36, n°. 15, p. 2083-2096, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 38 ref.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais