Numerical Investigation of Plunging Density Current

When a buoyant inflow of higher density enters a reservoir, it sinks below the ambient water and forms an underflow. Downstream of the plunge point, the flow becomes progressively diluted due to the fluid entrainment. The entrainment rate is strongly dependent on the Richardson number and reaches a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hydraulic engineering (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1999-06, Vol.125 (6), p.584-594
Main Authors: Bournet, P. E, Dartus, D, Tassin, B, Vinçon-Leite, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Buildings. Public works
Buoyancy
Channel flow
Computation methods. Tables. Charts
Exact sciences and technology
Flow of water
Hydraulic constructions
Mathematical models
Reservoirs (water)
Structural analysis. Stresses
TECHNICAL PAPERS
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Summary:When a buoyant inflow of higher density enters a reservoir, it sinks below the ambient water and forms an underflow. Downstream of the plunge point, the flow becomes progressively diluted due to the fluid entrainment. The entrainment rate is strongly dependent on the Richardson number and reaches a constant value well downstream of the plunge point. This study is concerned with the analysis of the plunging phenomenon and the determination of the entrainment. A k- model including buoyancy effects, both in a sloping and a diverging channel, is used to reproduce the main flow characteristics. A relation between the depth at the plunge point in a channel of constant width and in a diverging channel is established, and theoretical results for the calculation of the dense layer thickness are provided. The latter indicates that the spreading rate of the dense layer in a diverging channel is a function of both the entrainment rate and the channel width. The predictions of the plunge line location are in agreement with most semiempirical equations.
ISSN:0733-9429
1943-7900
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(1999)125:6(584)