Turbulence Characteristics in Gradual Channel Transition

A field study was conducted to determine the effects of a channel transition on turbulence characteristics. Detailed three-dimensional (3D) flow measurements were collected at a cross section that is located downstream of a gradual channel expansion. These measurements were obtained via an acoustic doppler velocimeter and include the 3D velocity field, the mean local velocities, the turbulent intensities, the frictional characteristics of the flow, the secondary velocity along the transverse plane, and the instantaneous shear stress components in the streamwise and transverse directions. Analysis of the 3D flow data indicates that the turbulent flow on the outer bank of the channel is anisotropic. Such anisotropy of turbulence, which is attributed to the gradual expansion in the channel and bed roughness, yields the development of a secondary flow of Prandtl’s second kind as reported in 1952. In particular, it was found that turbulent intensities in the vertical and transverse directions on the outer bank section are different in magnitude creating turbulence anisotropy in the cross-sectional plane and secondary flows of the second kind. Turbulent intensities increase toward the free surface indicating the transfer of a higher-momentum flux from the channel bed to the free surface, which contradicts common wisdom. Results for the normalized stress components in the streamwise and transverse direction show similar behavior to the intensities. Moreover, the nonlinear distribution of stresses is indicative of the oscillatory nature of the flow induced by the secondary flows of Prandtl’s second kind. A similar behavior was found for flows in straight rectangular channels over different roughness. Finally, a comparison between the secondary current velocity with the mainstream velocity indicates that secondary flow of Prandtl’s second kind is present within the right half of the measured cross section.