Author(s): Junke Guo

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Dip-phenomenon; log-law; open channel; velocity distribution; wake-law

Abstract: Smooth rectangular open channel flow is a benchmark for studying river hydraulics and sediment transport. Such a flow is more complicated than the classic boundary layer flow at least in two ways: (i) the maximum velocity occurs below the water surface, which is called the velocity-dip-phenomenon and (ii) the velocity distribution is affected not only by the channel bottom but also by the side-walls and the free surface. This fundamental flow is approximated herein by three hypotheses: (i) the velocity-dip-position shifts exponentially from the water surface to half flow depth as the width–depth ratio decreases from infinity to zero; (ii) the conventional wake-law for the centreline velocity distribution results from boundary shear stresses including the bottom, side-walls, and water surface in terms of secondary currents; and (iii) the cross-sectional velocity distribution is described by Guo and Julien's modified log-wake-law. These hypotheses are well supported by flume data.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2013.818584

Year: 2014