Numerical Analysis of Sedimentation in Open Channels Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Abstract
This study investigates sedimentation in open channels utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The validation indicates a strong agreement between the simulation and the reference data. Flow velocity substantially decreases in the branched channel post-bifurcation. Similarly, at a 90o bend, there is a notable drop in flow velocity after the curve. A vortex forms in areas where the velocity decreases. Sedimentation prediction can be achieved by observing these velocity reductions in specific channel sections. In the branched channel, low velocities and localized water eddies are found after the bifurcation point. In a channel with a 90o bend, the velocity diminishes on the inner side of the curve, with vortices forming, acting as potential sediment traps. This study highlights the utility of CFD as an effective method for enhancing the understanding of sedimentation processes in river systems.
##Keywords:##
CFD, open channel flow, sedimentation, flow velocity
Published
Jul 30, 2024
How to Cite
PUTRA, Yoga Satria et al.
Numerical Analysis of Sedimentation in Open Channels Using Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Journal of Ocean, Mechanical and Aerospace -science and engineering-, [S.l.], v. 68, n. 2, p. 53-63, july 2024.
ISSN 2527-6085.
Available at: <https://isomase.org/Journals/index.php/jomase/article/view/366>. Date accessed: 09 may 2026.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.36842/jomase.v68i2.366.
References
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[26] Mahananda, M., Hanmaiahgari, P.R., Ojha, C.S.P. & Balachandar, R. (2019). A new analytical model for dip modified velocity distribution in fully developed turbulent open channel flow. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 46(8), 657-668. doi: 10.1139/cjce-2018-0615.
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[28] Mirauda D. & Russo, M.G. (2019). information entropy theory applied to the dip-phenomenon analysis in open channel flows. Entropy, 21(6), 554. doi: 10.3390/e21060554.
[29] Absi, R. (2011). An ordinary differential equation for velocity distribution and dip-phenomenon in open channel flows. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 49(1), 82-89. doi: 10.1080/00221686.2010.535700.
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[2] Kumbhakar, M. & Tsai, C.W. (2023). Analytical modeling of vertical distribution of streamwise velocity in open channels using fractional entropy. Chaos Solitons Fractals, 169, 113285. doi: 10.1016/j.chaos.2023.113285.
[3] Zahiri, A., Tang, X. & Dahanzadeh, B. (2022). A model for predicting the lateral distribution of sediment transport in river bends. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 28(4), 420-429. doi: 10.1080/09715010.2021.1954100.
[4] Gounder Krishnappan, B. et al. (2020). Experimental investigation of erosion characteristics of fine-grained cohesive sediments. Water (Basel), 12(5), 1511. doi: 10.3390/w12051511.
[5] Li, Y., Zhang, J., Xu, H. & Bai, Y. (2021). Experimental study on the characteristics of sediment transport and sorting in pressurized pipes. Water (Basel), 13(19), 2782. doi: 10.3390/w13192782.
[6] Wang, X., Yan, X., Duan, H., Liu, X & Huang, E. (2019). Experimental study on the influence of river flow confluences on the open channel stage–discharge relationship. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 64(16), 2025-2039. doi: 10.1080/02626667.2019.1661415.
[7] Nazari-Giglou, A., Jabbari-Sahebari, A., Shakibaeinia, A. & Borghei, S.M. (2016). An experimental study of sediment transport in channel confluences. International Journal of Sediment Research, 31(1), 87-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ijsrc.2014.08.001.
[8] Chaudhary, H.P., Isaac, N., Tayade, S.B. & Bhosekar, V.V. (2019). Integrated 1D and 2D numerical model simulations for flushing of sediment from reservoirs. ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 25(1), 19-27. doi: 10.1080/09715010.2018.1423580.
[9] Jelti, S. & Boulerhcha, M. (2022). Numerical modeling of two-dimensional non-capacity model for sediment transport by an unstructured finite volume method with a new discretization of the source term. Math Computer Simulation, 197, 253-276. doi: 10.1016/j.matcom.2022.02.012.
[10] Arthur, J.K. (2023). PIV Measurements of open-channel turbulent flow under unconstrained conditions. Fluids, 8(4), 135. doi: 10.3390/fluids8040135.
[11] Yang, F., Shao, X., Fu, X. & Kazemi, E. (2019). Simulated flow velocity structure in meandering channels: stratification and inertia effects caused by suspended sediment. Water (Basel), 11(6), 1254. doi: 10.3390/w11061254.
[12] Montaseri, H., Tavakoli, K., Evangelista, S. & Omidvar, P. (2020). Sediment transport and bed evolution in a 180? curved channel with lateral intake: numerical simulations using eulerian and discrete phase models. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 31(08), 2050113. doi: 10.1142/S0129183120501132.
[13] Yang, Q.Y., Liu, T.H., Lu, W.Z. & Wang, X.K. (2013). Numerical simulation of confluence flow in open channel with dynamic meshes techniques. Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 5, 860431. doi: 10.1155/2013/860431.
[14] Esipov D. & Kuranakov, D. (2023). 2D CFD-DEM numerical simulation of the sedimentation of circular particles in the rectangular inclined vessel. 030011. doi: 10.1063/5.0132644.
[15] Mohammad, M.E., Al-Ansari, N., Knutsson, S. & Laue, J. (2020). A computational fluid dynamics simulation model of sediment deposition in a storage reservoir subject to water withdrawal. Water (Basel), 12(4), 959. doi: 10.3390/w12040959.
[16] Charafi, M.M. (2019). Two-dimensional numerical modeling of sediment transport in a dam reservoir to analyze the feasibility of a water intake. International Journal of Modern Physics C, 30(01), 1950003. doi: 10.1142/S0129183119500037.
[17] Hu, L., Dong, Z., Peng, C. & Wang, L.P. (2021). Direct numerical simulation of sediment transport in turbulent open channel flow using the lattice boltzmann method. Fluids, 6(6), 217. doi: 10.3390/fluids6060217.
[18] Peng, C., Ayala, O.M. & Wang, L.P. (2020). Flow modulation by a few fixed spherical particles in a turbulent channel flow. Journal Fluid Mechanic, 884, A15. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2019.933.
[19] Duan, J.G., Yu, C. & Ding, Y. (2023). Numerical simulation of sediment transport in unsteady open channel flow. Water (Basel), 15(14), 2576. doi: 10.3390/w15142576.
[20] Ben Hamza, S., Ben Kalifa, R., Saïd, N.M., Bournot, H. & Le Palec, G. (2017). Numerical study of sediment transport in turbulent two-phase flows around an obstacle. Applied Math Model, 45, 97-122. doi: 10.1016/j.apm.2016.12.021.
[21] Sahoo, A., Samantaray, S. & Singh, R.B. (2020). Analysis of velocity profiles in rectangular straight open channel flow. Pertanika Journal. Science & Technology, 28(1), 1-18.
[22] Akoz, M.S., Soydan, N.G. & Simsek, O. (2016) Numerical validation of open channel flow over a curvilinear broad-crested weir. Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 16(6), 364. doi: 10.1504/pcfd.2016.10000916.
[23] Alawadi, W., Prasad, T.D. & Al-Salih, O. (2019). Assessing the impact of velocity dip and wake coefficients on velocity prediction for open channel flows. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology, 16(1), 9-14, doi: 10.19026/rjaset.16.5993.
[24] Putra, Y.S., Beaudoin, A., Rousseaux, G., Thomas, L. & Huberson, S. (2019). 2D numerical contributions for the study of non-cohesive sediment transport beneath tidal bores. Comptes Rendus Mécanique, 347(2), 166-180. doi: 10.1016/j.crme.2018.11.004.
[25] Mirauda, D. & Russo, M.G. (2020). Entropy wake law for stream-wise velocity profiles in smooth rectangular open channels. Entropy, 22(6), 654. doi: 10.3390/e22060654.
[26] Mahananda, M., Hanmaiahgari, P.R., Ojha, C.S.P. & Balachandar, R. (2019). A new analytical model for dip modified velocity distribution in fully developed turbulent open channel flow. Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 46(8), 657-668. doi: 10.1139/cjce-2018-0615.
[27] Kumbhakar, M., Ghoshal, K. & Singh, V.P. (2020). Two-dimensional distribution of streamwise velocity in open channel flow using maximum entropy principle: Incorporation of additional constraints based on conservation laws. Computer Methods Applied Mechanical Engineering, 361, 112738. doi: 10.1016/j.cma.2019.112738.
[28] Mirauda D. & Russo, M.G. (2019). information entropy theory applied to the dip-phenomenon analysis in open channel flows. Entropy, 21(6), 554. doi: 10.3390/e21060554.
[29] Absi, R. (2011). An ordinary differential equation for velocity distribution and dip-phenomenon in open channel flows. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 49(1), 82-89. doi: 10.1080/00221686.2010.535700.
[30] Coles, D. (1956). The law of the wake in the turbulent boundary layer. Journal of Fluid Mechanic, 1(2), 191-226. doi: 10.1017/S0022112056000135.
