1. Numerical and Physical Modeling to Improve Discharge Rates in Open Channel Infrastructures
- Author
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Carolyn Jacobs, Katharina Tondera, Neil Tindale, Mark Porter, and Rick Jaeger
- Subjects
inlet optimization ,Chamfer ,lcsh:Hydraulic engineering ,Hydraulics ,Culvert ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Flow (psychology) ,Aquatic Science ,Biochemistry ,law.invention ,lcsh:Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes ,lcsh:TC1-978 ,law ,culvert design ,ANSYS Fluent ,Water Science and Technology ,lcsh:TD201-500 ,geography ,geography.geographical_feature_category ,Turbulence ,culvert hydraulics ,culvert ,Inlet ,Open-channel flow ,Flume ,Environmental science ,culvert retrofitting ,discharge capacity ,Marine engineering - Abstract
This paper presents the findings of a study into how different inlet designs for stormwater culverts increase the discharge rate. The objective of the study was to develop improved inlet designs that could be retro-fitted to existing stormwater culvert structures in order to increase discharge capacity and allow for changing rainfall patterns and severe weather events that are expected as a consequence of climate change. Three different chamfer angles and a rounded corner were simulated with the software ANSYS Fluent, each of the shapes tested in five different sizes. Rounded and 45 ∘ chamfers at the inlet edge performed best, significantly increasing the flow rate, though the size of the configurations was a critical factor. Inlet angles of 30 ∘ and 60 ∘ caused greater turbulence in the simulations than did 45 ∘ and the rounded corner. The best performing shape of the inlet, the rounded corner, was tested in an experimental flume. The flume flow experiment showed that the optimal inlet configuration, a rounded inlet (radius = 1/5 culvert width) improved the flow rate by up to 20% under submerged inlet control conditions.
- Published
- 2019