Abstract: The course path developed by a meandering channel is comparatively synonymous to natural flow systems such as rivers, streams etc. This curvy shape of flow is basically followed by rivers to lessen the energy loss during their course of flow. This flow habit in channel bend is much more puzzling due to existence of secondary flows. The occurrence of secondary flow is forced by the variation of centrifugal force and pressure force at the surface and at the channel bed. It has also been seen that near to the inner wall and at the channel bed the pressure force outruns the effect of centrifugal force which in turn conveys water in a transverse direction towards the inner wall. Similarly the effect of centrifugal force dominates at the free surface thereby conveying the flow to the outer wall. This reciprocal action of the flow in the main channel and secondary flow brings into picture the so called helical flow at the bend. Understanding these characteristics of flow is quite effective in designing hydraulic structures at such locations. Knowledge of the characteristics of surface profile at different sections is important in flood modeling and forecasting which helps in the design of hydraulic structures. In this paper, an experimental investigation has been carried out to study the transverse profiles of water surface of a meandering channel at varying discharges. Investigation has been made at different sections along a meander path i.e. from one bend apex to another where the water surface profile changes its course at the cross-over.
Keywords: meander path, crossover, water surface profile, meandering channel.
Title: Variation of Flow Profile along a Highly Sinuous Meander Path
Author: Sovan Sankalp, Kishanjit Kumar Khatua, Arpan Pradhan
International Journal of Civil and Structural Engineering Research
ISSN 2348-7607 (Online)
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