Numerical Simulation of Horizontal Vortices in a Compound Open Channel Flow

Abstract

It is well known that large scale horizontal vortices occur between the flood plain and the main channel in a compound open channel flow. The momentum transport in the transverse direction by the vortices affects the resistance to flow in rivers during flood. The numerical method based on the plane two-layer model is proposed in order to simulate the flow in a compound open channel with a rectangular main channel. The horizontal and vertical structure of the flow due to the horizontal vortices is examined through the comparison of numerical results to the laboratory tests by Ikeda et al.