Simulation of Density Flow and Velocity Variation in Dam Reservoirs

Investigations and observations indicate that variation in density and underflow is related to the formation of flows in the dam reservoirs. The hydrodynamics of density currents and plunging are difficult to study in the natural environment and laboratory condition due to small-scale, entrainment and turbulent flows. Correct estimation of dam reservoir flow, density flow dynamics, plunging and velocity variations are very important for the dam reservoir sedimentation and water quality problem. Therefore, the two-dimensional model is adapted to simulate density plunging flow simulation through a reservoir with sloping bottom. The model is developed using nonlinear and unsteady continuity, momentum, energy and k-ε turbulence model equations in the Cartesian coordinates. The equations of the model are solved based on the initial and boundary conditions of the dam reservoir flow. Velocity, temperature and turbulence viscosity variation through the dam reservoir, effects of density flow parameters such as plunging depths, plunging points, mixing rate can be determined from the simulation results. In this study, the velocity variations through a reservoir with sloping bottom are defined and compared with the previous experimental work and the mathematical models.Ünes Fatih, Agiralioglu Necati, Demirci Mustafa. Simulation of Density Flow and Velocity Variation in Dam Reservoirs. In: SimHydro 2014. New Trends in Simulation. 11-13 June 2014 Ecole Polytech’ Nice (France) 2014