High-resolution numerical modelling of flow-vegetation interactions

Marjoribanks, T.I.; Hardy, R.J.; Lane, S.N.; Parsons, R.D.

Abstract

In this paper, we present and apply a new three-dimensional model for the prediction of canopy-flow and turbulence dynamics in open-channel flow. The approach uses a dynamic immersed boundary technique that is coupled in a sequentially staggered manner to a large eddy simulation. Two different biomechanical models are developed depending on whether the vegetation is dominated by bending or tensile forces. For bending plants, a model structured on the Euler–Bernoulli beam equation has been developed, whilst for tensile plants, an N-pendula model has been developed. Validation against flume data shows good agreement and demonstrates that for a given stem density, the models are able to simulate the extraction of energy from the mean flow at the stem-scale which leads to the drag discontinuity and associated mixing layer.

Citation

Marjoribanks, T., Hardy, R., Lane, S., & Parsons, R. (2014). High-resolution numerical modelling of flow-vegetation interactions. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 52(6), 775-793. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2014.948502

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 22, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 13, 2014
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Oct 30, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 9, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Hydraulic Research
• Print ISSN: 0022-1686
• Electronic ISSN: 1814-2079
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 52
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 775-793
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2014.948502
• Keywords: Biomechanics, Large eddy simulations, Streams and rivers, Vegetated flows, Vortex dynamics.