WSEAS Transactions on Fluid Mechanics
Print ISSN: 1790-5087, E-ISSN: 2224-347X
Volume 15, 2020
A 3D Numerical Model for Turbidity Currents
Authors: , ,
Abstract: A numerical model that solves two-phase flow motion equations to reproduce turbidity currents that occur in reservoirs, is proposed. Three formalizations of the two-phase flow motion equations are presented: the first one can be adopted for high concentration values; the second one is valid under the hypothesis of diluted concentrations; the third one is based on the assumption that the particles are in translational equilibrium with the fluid flow. The proposed numerical model solves the latter formalization of two-phase flow motion equations, in order to simulate turbidity currents. The motion equations are presented in an integral form in time-dependent curvilinear coordinates, with the vertical coordinate that varies in order to follow the free surface movements. The proposed numerical model is validated against experimental data and is applied to a practical engineering case study of a reservoir, in order to evaluate the possibility of the formation of turbidity currents.
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Keywords: turbidity current, two-phase flow, free surface flow, numerical model, time-varying coordinates
Pages: 1-12
DOI: 10.37394/232013.2020.15.1