Three‐dimensional turbulence‐resolving simulations of the plunge phenomenon in a tilted channel
File(s)
Author(s)
Schuch, FN
Pinto, LC
Silvestrini, JH
Laizet, S
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Hyperpycnal flows are produced when the density of a fluid flowing in a relatively quiescent basin is greater than the density of the fluid in the basin. The density differences can be due to the difference in temperatures, salinity, turbidity, concentration, or a combination of them. When the inflow momentum diminishes, the inflowing fluid eventually plunges under the basin fluid and flows along the bottom floor as an underflow density current. In the present work, 3‐D turbulence‐resolving simulations are performed for an hyperpycnal flow evolving at the bottom floor of a tilted channel. Using advanced numerical techniques designed for supercomputers, the incompressible Navier‐Stokes and transport equations are solved to reproduce numerically the experiments of Lamb et al. (2010, https://doi.org/10.1130/B30125.1) obtained inside a flume with a long tilted ramp. This study focuses on presenting and validating a new numerical framework for the correct reproduction and analysis of the plunge phenomenon and its associated flow features. A very good agreement is found between the experimental data of Lamb et al. (2010), the analytical models of Parker and Toniolo (2007, https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2007)133:6(690)), and the present turbulence‐resolving simulations. The mixing process between the ambient fluid and the underflow density current is also analyzed thanks to visualizations of vortical structures at the interface.
Date Issued
2018-07
Date Acceptance
2018-06-05
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 2018, 123 (7), pp.4820-4832
ISSN
2169-9275
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
Start Page
4820
End Page
4832
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
Volume
123
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
©2018. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. This is the published version of the following article: Schuch, F. N., Pinto, L. C., Silvestrini, J. H., & Laizet, S. ( 2018). Three‐dimensional turbulence‐resolving simulations of the plunge phenomenon in a tilted channel. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 123, 4820– 4832, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JC014027
Identifier
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2018JC014027
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Oceanography
plunge
density current
simulation
turbulence
mixing
RIVER-FLOOD DYNAMICS
TURBIDITY CURRENTS
HYPERPYCNAL-PLUME
DENSITY CURRENTS
FLOWS
DEPOSITS
RESERVOIR
RESOLUTION
BEHAVIOR
SCHEMES
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-06-12