On the turbulence characteristics in developed and developing rough narrow open-channel flow

Abstract

An analytical power-law for velocity distribution is developed and validated using experimental results for rough, narrow open-channel flows. In addition, an empirical power-law for the mean velocity distribution is also proposed. To this end, experiments were conducted to investigate the turbulence characteristics in developing and fully developed narrow open-channel flows over a fixed continuous rough bed. Instantaneous 3-D velocities were acquired using a Nortek VectrinoPlus down looking acoustic Doppler velocimeter at streamwise intervals of 0.5 m along the centerline of the flume. Using the experimental data, shape factors and frictional characteristics in narrow open-channel flow were analysed. In addition, this paper investigated changes in the turbulence anisotropy and the decay of turbulence along the mid-depth of the hydraulically rough flow. The new analytical power-law equation developed in this paper accurately describes the fully developed velocity profile in narrow open-channel flow with the dip phenomenon. Reynolds number and aspect ratio significantly influenced the turbulence characteristics in the upper half of the flow field. The decreasing turbulence intensities at mid-depth along the flow developing region demonstrate the attainment of isotropic turbulence as the flow development occurs in the narrow open-channel.