Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Abstract: Scouring downstream of submerged weirs is a common problem resulting from the interaction of the three-dimensional turbulent
flow field around the structures and the mobile channel bed. This paper presents the distributions of flow patterns, bed shear stresses, and
turbulence structures in the approach flow and the scour hole downstream of a submerged weir. The experiments were conducted under the
clear-water scour condition for an equilibrium scour hole. The experimental results show that the flow structures are considerably changed by
the presence of the structure. A large recirculation zone and a flow reattachment region are formed downstream of the submerged weir.
Strongly paired cellular secondary flows are observed in the scour hole. The turbulence structures ahead of the recirculation zone govern
the dimensions of the scour hole. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0000803. 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
Author keywords: Submerged weir; Scour; Flow pattern; Bed shear stress; Turbulence; Secondary flows.
1000
100
10
1
0.22 0.24 0.26 0.28 0.3 0.32 0.34
Time-averaged velocity (m/s)
t (day) dinal section still had relatively high noise and low correlations.
These locations are called velocimeter weak spots or velocity holes,
Fig. 4. Temporal development of the maximum scour depth and are mainly caused by the return signal interference from the
boundary (Martin et al. 2002). After filtering, around 55% of data
for these weak spots were of good quality and therefore retained.
For all other measurement points, more than 80% of the data were
is taken as the maximum scour depth at the equilibrium phase (dse ) retained after filtering. The velocity power spectrum for the filtered
in this study. data points was examined with Kolmogorovs 5=3 law, conform-
After the scour hole reached equilibrium, the flow field ing that the data presented in this paper are of high quality.
was measured using a three-component, downward-facing Nortek
Vectrino+ acoustic velocimeter (Nortek AS, Rud, Norway). The
probe measures the velocities 50 mm beneath the acoustic transmit- Results and Discussion
ter, which must be submerged, and consequently velocities within
the first 55-mm depth beneath the water surface were not measured.
Measurements were taken along the centerline longitudinal section Two-Dimensional Velocity Distribution
and on three other transverse cross sections. The velocimeter was Fig. 6 shows the distribution of time-averaged velocity vectors
used with a sampling rate of 200 Hz. The sampling volume was on the centerline longitudinal section. The velocity vectors are
cylindrical, having a 6-mm diameter and an adjustable height vary- determined from the average values of the streamwise and vertical
ing from 1 to 7 mm. As suggested by Dey et al. (2011), the sam- velocity components. It can be seen that the upstream flow is quite
pling height was set as 12.5 mm in the near-bed zone to avoid uniform, even at the equilibrium stage. When this uniform flow
interfering with sediment particles; a 4-mm sampling height was approaches the submerged weir, the flow pattern is altered by the
used in the upper flow zone of the centerline longitudinal section, sudden change of bed elevation. The approach flow is accelerated
and a 7-mm height for the three other transverse cross sections. at the crest of the weir, and a weak back flow is created immediately
200
0
40
100
0
-10
-140
0
-80
-60
-40
-40
0
-120
20
0
-100
0
20
-2
-80
0
-20
-1
0
-60
20
-20
-100
0
-140
-200
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Longitudinal Direction (m)
200
Vertical distance (mm)
100
0
Recirculation zone
-100 Flow reattachment region 0.20 m/s
150 150
(a) 0.02 m/s (b) 0.02 m/s
100
Vertical distance (mm)
Vertical distance (mm)
100
50 50
0 0
150
(c) 0.02 m/s -50
100
-100
50
-150
-200 -100 0 100 200 -200 -100 0 100 200
Transversal distance (mm) Transversal distance (mm)
appropriate measurement height above the bed. According to the which causes a reduction to the velocity gradient. As a result, the
recommendation of Biron et al. (2004), the best option for using measured Reynolds shear stresses are very close to zero and are
single-point measurements to estimate bed shear stress is to posi- below the threshold values.
tion the instrument at around 10% of the flow depth. Then, it is
above the thickness of the roughness layer and is less affected
Turbulence Characteristics
by unexpected increases in SNR or Doppler noise that may occur
closer to the bed (Finelli et al. 1999; Kim et al. 2000). The mea-
sured points for estimating bed shear stresses in this study were Turbulence Intensities
all set at 10 mm above the bed. The measured and calculated values Contours of the turbulence intensity distributions for the longitu-
for these near-bed points were used for direct estimation of bed dinal direction and three transverse cross sections (U, M, and D)
shear stress. are presented in Figs. 9 and 10, respectively. The contour values
Threshold bed stresses, measured Reynolds shear stresses, and for the downstream, transverse and vertical directions are calcu-
calculated bed stresses were obtained, and a comparison of the ex- lated from
perimental bed shear stresses and local threshold bed shear stresses q q q
obtained from Eq. (1) is presented in Fig. 8. It should be noted that u 0 2 v 0 2 w 0 2
the values of critical bed shear stresses on the upstream slope of the TI u ; TI v ; TI w 3
U0 U0 U0
scour hole are negative, which corresponds to the direction of the
bottom reverse flow, while in Fig. 8 only absolute values are used where U 0 is the average approach flow velocity. For the centerline
for comparison. It can be seen that for the approach flow and near longitudinal section, the turbulence intensities for all three direc-
the end of the scour hole, bed stresses obtained from the observed tions show a very similar distribution [Figs. 9(ac)]. More specifi-
Reynolds shear stresses and from the TKE method do not exceed cally, the values of TI u , TI v , and TI w upstream of the weir are
the threshold. This is consistent with the experiment being con- rather small compared with those in the scour hole. The peak values
ducted under conditions of no general sediment transport. Although are found immediately downstream of the weir and above the origi-
reverse flows are observed on the upstream slope of the scour hole, nal bed level. Downstream of the locations of the peak values, the
the values of measured Reynolds shear stresses are still positive in turbulence intensities are damped, as the distance from the weir
this region, which is consistent with the velocity gradients still increases. It is important to note that the positions where the peak
being positive close to the bed (Figs. 6 and 8). For this case, values of turbulence intensities occur are found at the upstream end
estimation of bed shear stress from near bed Reynolds shear stress of the recirculation zone. Furthermore, the measurements of the
measurements may be unreliable, because the measurement equip- turbulence intensities in the centerline longitudinal section show
ment is incapable of acquiring data in the negative velocity gradient the turbulent flow to be anisotropic, with u 0 1.2v 0 1.7w 0 .
layer, which is very thin (less than 10 mm) and just above the bed. Fig. 10 shows turbulence intensity distributions in three trans-
At the upstream end of the recirculation zone, the experimental bed versal cross sections (U, M, and D). For section U [Figs. 10(ac)],
stresses considerably exceed the absolute threshold values, which although the turbulence intensities are very small compared with
is in agreement with our experimental observations. In this area, those in the scour hole, a trend can be observed. The areas of very
200
Flow
(Pa)
1.5
Vertical distance (mm)
100 1
Bed Shear stress
0.5
0 0
Original Bed Line
-0.5
-200
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Longitudinal distance (m)
Fig. 8. A comparison of estimated shear stress and threshold shear stress along the centerline upstream and downstream of the submerged weir
5
0.2
0.1 0.4 0.3 5
0.1
0 0.2
0.3 0.3
0.25 0.25
0.2
-100
(a)
200
Vertical distance (mm)
100
0.04 0 5 0.2 0.15 0.08
0. 0. 3 0.25 0.2
0.04 0.25 0.08
0 0.2
0.2 0.15 0.1
-100 0.15
(c)
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5
Longitudinal distance (m)
Fig. 9. Turbulence intensity distributions in the centreline longitudinal section: (a) downstream; (b) transverse; (c) vertical directions, respectively
150
(a) (b) (c)
Section U
100 0.06 0.0
5
0.07
0.03
0.04
0.08 0.08 0.08 0 .0 7 0.035
50 8
9 0.09 0.0 0.0
8 0.09 0 .0 3
0.0 0.1 9 0.08 0.08 0.0 0.04 0.04 0.035
0.11
0.1 0.09 0.09 8 0.038
0
150
(d) (e) (f)
Vertical distance (mm)
100 0.18
0.36 0.16
0.26
6
0.22
50 0.34 0.28
Section M
0.28 0.2
0.34 0.28
32
0.
0
28 0.26
0. 0.1
0.2
0.24 6
0.
-50
18
-150
150
(g) (h) (i)
Section D
0
-150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150
Transversal distance (mm) Transversal distance (mm) Transversal distance (mm)
low turbulence intensities correspond with areas of high streamwise the bed decreases. The decrease of turbulence intensities closer to
velocities. The same can be observed in straight natural rivers. For the bed, which is in line with the dissipating trend of upstream tur-
section M [Figs. 10(df)], turbulence intensities are highest around bulence intensities, is caused by the damping effect of bed boun-
5 cm above the original bed level and reduce as the distance from daries. With respect to section D [see Figs. 10(gi)], turbulence
200
Vertical distance (mm)
Fig. 12. Normalized Reynolds shear stress distribution in the centerline longitudinal section
uw uv vw
Vertical distance (mm)
150
(a) (b) (c)
Section U
100
0.08 0.2 0
-0.1
0. 0.06
0
0. 0.08 0
-0.1
0
0.1
-0.3
0.3
1
03
0
-0.05
0.5 0 0
0.3
50 -0.3 0 0.0
0.5
-0.05
0
150
(d) (e) (f)
100
Vertical distance (mm)
6 10 10 0 1 -2
1
12
2
8 2 2 0
0
0
-2
14
-2
50 12 10
0
2
12 0
Section M
0
6
12 2
2
10 0
6
4
10 8 1
0
0 -1
10
8 -1 0
0
8 -6 10 2 3 1
-50 -4
6 -2 0 1 1
6 8 2
2
-1
4 2 4 0
-100 4 6 4 0
2 -2
1
4
Vertical distance (mm)
-150
150
(g) (h) (i)
Section D
100
2 0
0. 0
0.
0.6
0
0.2
0.2
0.5
15
1
0.2
-0.15
0.6
11.5
0.6 0.2 0 -0.15
0
50 0.8 0.5
0
1 0.8 0
0
0
-150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150
Transversal distance (mm) Transversal distance (mm) Transversal distance (mm)
Fig. 13. Normalized Reynolds shear stresses distributions in the U, M, and D cross sections
est and largest eddies are developed at the upstream end of the hole and further downstream.
recirculation zone. For the transverse direction, strongly paired cellular secondary
flows are observed in the scour hole. A certain degree of symmetry
Reynolds Shear Stress of Reynolds shear stress uv distributions at cross sections are
Figs. 12 and 13 present the distributions of normalized Reynolds observed, which directly account for the formation of secondary
shear stresses for the centerline longitudinal section and three trans- flows. These secondary flows have a significant effect upon the
verse cross sections (U, M, and D). The Reynolds stresses values development of the scour hole and the final bed geometry. Their
here are calculated from effect should be considered in the study of scour at low-head
structures in a relatively deep flow.
u 0 w 0 u 0 v 0 v 0 w 0
uw ; uv ; vw 4
u2 u2 u2
Acknowledgments
where u = average approach flow shear velocity. Fig. 12 shows
that the largest Reynolds shear stresses uw occur immediately The authors would like to thank China Scholarship Council (CSC)
downstream of the weir, with values dissipating in the scour for the financial support of this research.
hole and further downstream. As supported by the distribution of
TKE (Fig. 11) and the distribution of uw (Fig. 12) in the centerline
longitudinal section, it is possible to infer that the large magnitude Notation
of turbulence structure on the upstream slope of the scour hole
The following symbols are used in this paper:
governs the scour hole size (maximum scour depth and length).
C = empirical factor used in TKE method for calculating bed
This is in agreement with work undertaken by Ben Meftah and
shear stress;
Mossa (2006).
ds = maximum scour depth;
As seen in Figs. 13(a, d, and g), Reynolds shear stresses uw
dse = maximum scour depth at the equilibrium phase
and uv are dominant, while vw values are relatively small in
d50 = median diameter;
all three cross sections. It also can be seen that the highest Reynolds
E = turbulence kinetic energy density;
shear stress values are found near the bottom of the sections, for
FD = flow drag force exert on a sediment particle;
both U and D, while for section M they are observed around the
FG = submerged weight of a sediment particle;
original bed level. Thus bottom friction at sections U and D was the
FL = lift force on a sediment particle;
dominant factor to account for shear stress distributions, but for
g = gravity;
section M the distributions of Reynolds shear stresses are strongly
ls = maximum scour length;
dependent on upstream dissipating shear stresses.
As discussed above, secondary flows are observed at all TI u , TI v , TI w = turbulence intensities along the downstream,
three sections (U, M, and D; see Fig. 7). The values of uv in transverse, and vertical directions, respectively;
Figs. 13(b, e, and h) also reveal secondary flows. Negative uv t = scour time;
values are found on the left side of the flume centerline, while pos- U 0 = average approach flow velocity;
itive values are observed on the right side, as seen in Fig. 13(e), u, v, w = mean velocity components along the downstream,
showing a certain degree of symmetry. Similar patterns can be seen transverse, and vertical directions, respectively;
in Figs 13(b and h). Since the values of uv and vw should be zero u 0 , v 0 , w 0 = fluctuation velocity components along the downstream,
when no secondary flows exist, the Reynolds shear stress values not transverse, and vertical directions, respectively;
only reveal the concentration of turbulence, but also indicate the u = average approach flow shear velocity;
intensities of secondary flows. uc = average approach flow critical shear velocity;
y = approach flow depth;
yt = tail water depth;
Conclusions c = critical shear stress on a horizontal bed;
c0 = critical shear stress on a sloping bed;
The results of an experimental study of flow patterns, bed shear uw , uv , vw = normalized Reynolds shear stresses;
stresses, and turbulence structures in the approach flow towards 0 = bed shear stress;
a submerged weir, and the resulting scour hole are presented. = relative submerged particle density;
The experiments were undertaken in clear-water scour conditions = bed slope;
in a laboratory flume. The equilibrium scour-hole condition was = submerged angle of repose of sediment;
obtained. The three-dimensional flow-field data was obtained by = water density;
a Nortek Vectrino+ acoustic velocimeter. s = sediment density;
The results show that the presence of a submerged weir con- g = standard deviation; and
siderably changed the flow structure. Along the flume centerline = kinematic viscosity of fluid, considered as 1 106 m2 =s.
Bradshaw, P., et al. (1967). Calculation of boundary-layer development piers. J. Hydraul. Eng., 125(1), 5965.
using the turbulent energy equation. J. Fluid Mech., 28(03), 593616. Nezu, I., and Nakagawa, H. (1984). Cellular secondary currents in straight
Chen, Z., et al. (2005). Experimental study on the upstream water level conduit. J. Hydraul. Eng., 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1984)110:2
rise and downstream scour length of a submerged dam. J. Hydraul. (173), 173193.
Res., 43(6), 703709. Nezu, I., Nakagawa, H., and Kawashima, N. (1988). Cellular secondary
Chiew, Y.-M., and Parker, G. (1994). Incipient sediment motion on non- currents and sand ribbons in fluvial channel flows. Proc., 6th APD-
horizontal slopes. J. Hydraul. Res., 32(5), 649660. IAHR Congress, APD-IAHR, Kyoto, Japan, 2(1), 5158.
DAgostino, V., and Ferro, V. (2004). Scour on alluvial bed downstream of Pope, N. D., et al. (2006). Estimation of bed shear stress using the turbu-
grade-control structures. J. Hydraul. Eng., 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429
lent kinetic energy approachA comparison of annular flume and field
(2004)130:1(24), 2437.
data. Cont. Shelf Res., 26(8), 959970.
Dey, S., et al. (2011). Near-bed turbulence characteristics at the entrain-
Prandtl, L. (1952). Essentials of fluid dynamics, Blackie and Son,
ment threshold of sediment beds. J. Hydraul. Eng., 10.1061/(ASCE)
London.
HY.1943-7900.0000396, 945958.
Finelli, C. M., et al. (1999). Evaluating the spatial resolution of an acoustic Soulsby, R. L. (1981). Measurements of the Reynolds stress components
doppler velocimeter and the consequences for measuring near-bed close to a marine sand bank. Marine Geol., 42(14), 3547.
flows. Limnol. Oceanogr., 44(7), 17931801. Stapleton, K. R., and Huntley, D. A. (1995). Seabed stress determinations
Friedrich, H., et al. (2005). Three-dimensional measurement of laboratory using the inertial dissipation method and the turbulent kinetic energy
submerged bed forms using moving probes. Proc., XXXI IAHR method. Earth Surf. Processes Landforms, 20(9), 807815.
Congress, Korea Water Resources Association, Seoul, 396404. Thompson, C. E. L., et al. (2003). The manifestation of fluid-transmitted
Goring, D. G., and Nikora, V. I. (2002). Despiking acoustic doppler bed shear stress in a smooth annular flumeA comparison of meth-
velocimeter data. J. Hydraul. Eng., 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2002) ods. J. Coastal Res., 19(4), 10941103.
128:1(117), 117126. Wahl, T. L. (2000). Analyzing ADV data using WinADV. Proc., 2000
Kim, S. C., et al. (2000). Estimating bottom stress in tidal boundary layer Joint Conf. on Water Resources Engineering and Water Resources
from acoustic doppler velocimeter data. J. Hydraul Eng., 126(6), Planning and Management, ASCE, Reston, VA.
399406. Yalin, M. S. (1992). River mechanics, Pergamon Press, Oxford, U.K.