3D Modeling of A Novel Curved Submerged Vane With Variable Profile for the Protection of Meandering River Beds

Abstract

Due to scour problems caused by flooding or high and turbulent flow in the riverbed, river regulation structures are important on the outer meander. Submerged vanes are a new method for meandering open channels and river regulation. In this study, initially, using a flow discharge of 20 L/s, the numerical results of the no-vane (V0) and three-array with six submerged vanes (V1) in meandering open channel flows have been calibrated with experimental results. Then, the submerged vane cases with no angle (CV1) and 20° angle (CV2–CV3) were investigated numerically. In the presented numerical models, continuity, momentum, and turbulence model equations were used. The k–ε model was used for turbulence viscosity. The results of the numerical model were compared with the experimental model results. Additionally, flow velocities and depth were analyzed using numerical models. In the outer meander, the three-array with curved vane structures (CV1, CV2 and CV3) affected the flow velocity by 77%–92% in the region behind the vane. The flow velocities were investigated along with depth using the numerical modeling and found that the mean velocity was reduced by 54%–83% along the depth. As an effective method of reducing flow velocities and directing flows, it is also recommended that submerged vane structures be used.