TECHNICAL NOTE
Jan 1, 2000

Turbulent Flow over Step with Rounded Edges: Experimental and Numerical Study

Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 126, Issue 1

Abstract

The study of turbulent flow over man-made obstacles and natural bed forms is an area of active research. This investigation was conducted to explore the differences between flow over a backward facing step and flow over a step with gradual transitions. Detailed measurements of longitudinal mean velocity and turbulence intensity were obtained using a one component LDV system. A turbulence-based numerical model was implemented to reproduce the measured flow variables and to explore additional flow characteristics, including Reynolds stresses and eddy viscosity. The separation that takes place in the rounded expansion plays a significant role in the flow pattern. In contrast to flow over a backward facing step, flow over a step with rounded edges shows a relatively shorter separation bubble and a slower return to the developed flow condition.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Blom, P., and Booij, R. (1995). “Turbulent free-surface flow over sills.”J. Hydr. Res., Delft, The Netherlands, 33(5), 663–682.
2.
Bravo, H. R., and Zheng, Y. (1999). “Free-surface models of turbulent flow over sand dunes.” Int. J. Appl. Sci. & Computations, 5(3), 207–219.
3.
Fluent user's manual. (1998). Version 5, FLUENT Inc., Lebanon, N.J.
4.
Mierlo, M. C. L. M., and de Ruiter, J. C. C. (1988). “Turbulence measurements above artificial dunes.” Rep. Q789, Delft Hydraulics Laboratory, Delft, The Netherlands.
5.
Nakagawa, H., and Nezu, I. (1987). “Experimental investigation on turbulent structure of backward-facing step flow in an open channel.”J. Hydr. Res., Delft, The Netherlands, 25(1), 67–88.
6.
Nezu, I., and Rodi, W. (1986). “Open-channel flow measurements with a laser Doppler anemometer.”J. Hydr. Engrg., ASCE, 112(5), 335–355.
7.
Speziale, G. G., and Thangam, S. (1992). “Analysis of an RNG based turbulence model for separated flows.” Int. J. Engrg. Sci., 30(10), 1379–1388.
8.
Yakhot, V., Tangham, S., Gatski, T. B., Orszag, S. A., and Speziale, G. G. (1992). “Development of turbulence models for shear flows by a double expansion technique.” Phys. of Fluids, A7, 1510.
9.
Zheng, Y. ( 1997). “Physical and numerical modeling of turbulent open channel flow over different bed forms,” MS thesis, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Wis.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 126Issue 1January 2000
Pages: 82 - 85

History

Received: Aug 8, 1997
Published online: Jan 1, 2000
Published in print: Jan 2000

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Associate Member, ASCE
Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Civ. Engrg. and Mech., Univ. of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0784.
Grad. Student, Dept. of Civ. Engrg. and Mech., Univ. of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI.

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share