Efficient Method for Coupling Field Data and Numerical Modeling for the Estimation of Transverse Mixing Coefficients in Meandering Rivers
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 6
Abstract
A numerical model has been developed employing an orthogonal stream-tube gridding system for the investigation of mixing patterns in meandering rivers. The proposed model couples field data and modeling. It uses a measured velocity field to solve the advection-diffusion equation. This equation provides a practical simulation with greater accuracy and lower computational cost for estimation of mixing in meandering channels with a long, full mixing length. The model has been used to estimate the transverse mixing coefficient in surveyed subreaches of the North Saskatchewan River in Canada. Good agreement was observed between the numerical and measured tracer concentrations using reasonable values for the transverse mixing coefficient. The average dimensionless transverse mixing coefficient from the calibrated numerical model for the surveyed reach was 0.39, which was consistent with values estimated using empirical formulas for transverse mixing coefficients in natural meandering rivers. The estimated transverse mixing coefficient was more than an order of magnitude higher in a subreach with a sharp bend than in other subreaches. For comparison, the transverse mixing coefficient was also calculated analytically from standard and general methods of moments between some sections.
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Acknowledgments
The research performed by A. P. and A. M. was supported by a NPRP grant (No. 4-935-2-354) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). The authors also wish to acknowledge Curtis Brock and Alberta Environment for supporting this work. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 6 • June 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 11, 2013
Accepted: Oct 13, 2015
Published online: Feb 26, 2016
Published in print: Jun 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Jul 26, 2016
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