Numerical Model of Turbidity Currents with a Deforming Bottom Boundary
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 131, Issue 4
Abstract
A numerical model of turbidity currents with a deforming bottom boundary has been developed. The model predicts the vertical structure of the flow velocity and concentration as well as change in the bed level due to erosion and deposition of suspended sediment. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations for dilute suspension have been solved using a finite volume method. The bottom boundary and the grid system are allowed to adjust in response to sediment deposition and entrainment during the computation. The model has been applied to simulate the evolution of a conservative saline density current and turbidity currents along an long flume that includes a slope followed by a horizontal bed. The model successfully simulates the evolution of the currents. Model results have been compared with the experimental data. Good similarity profiles of velocity and excess density or suspended sediment concentration are obtained at both the upstream supercritical and the downstream subcritical flow regions. A turbulent Schmidt number larger than one has been found to be appropriate for providing a good match with the experimental data. Changes in bed level predicted by the model have also been found to be in agreement with the experiment data.
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Acknowledgments
Funding provided by Shell International Exploration & Production is gratefully acknowledged. Partial support from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. NSF OCE-9711431) is also acknowledged.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 131 • Issue 4 • April 2005
Pages: 283 - 293
Copyright
© 2005 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 25, 2004
Accepted: Sep 17, 2004
Published online: Apr 1, 2005
Published in print: Apr 2005
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