Flow Processes in Open Channel Bends

A severe weakness in the presently available theoretical solutions for flow patterns in bends is their failure to yield valid distributions of the longitudinal or forward velocity component. This is primarily due to the complexity of the natural geometry of bends and of the basic flow equations. In place of complete analytic solutions, various approximation methods for predicting boundary shear stress and other flow qualities have been developed. Experimentation has also proved valuable in searching for generalized solutions to these problems. Some field observations made at Buffalo Creek, N.Y. of maximum shear stresses, depths in bends, and related characteristics have been made, analyzed, and correlated with applicable laboratory and analytic studies. These are presented within a framework which attempts to generalize the results.