Abstract:
Natural rivers usually have a main channel and a few tributaries. A confluence is the meeting of a tributary and the main channel. A typical phenomenon in many hydraulic engineering problems is the confluence of two streams. Natural river networks, water treatment plants, and fish passage conveyance systems are typical examples. Confluence hydrodynamics is particularly complicated since there are several factors affecting stream characteristics at the confluence such as geometric factors and flow parameters. Although there are several hydraulic problems with open channel confluences, only limited study has been made to deal with this point. Most research is focused on field experiments or experimental studies, and few mathematical models have been developed. This paper is aimed at building a collection of data which entirely explains the complicated, Flow conditions in the open channel junction in three-dimensions. The presented data set consists of 3D measurements of the velocity and turbulence, along with a water surface mapping in the immediate vicinity of the channel junction. In this analysis, a 90o sharp-edged junction of the same size channel was focused. The OpenFOAM CFD tool was used for simulation. Multiphase, InterFoam solver and the k- SST turbulence model was used for turbulence modelling. Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was used which captured the free water surface as well. After that, the simulation results are compared to the experimental results of the (Weber, Schumate et al. 2001). The main aim of the study is to introduce a 3D numerical model OpenFOAM CFD tool validation with excellent test information. The model is validated using only one flow condition of the (Weber, Schumate et al. 2001) test results. A strong understanding is accomplished between the experimental reports and the computational model.
