Search

The present study evaluates the prevalence of Holmboe waves in an intrusive gravity current (IGC) containing particles, employing large Eddy simulation (LES). Holmboe waves, a type of stratified shear layer-generated wave, are characterised by a relatively thin density interface compared to the thickness of the shear layer. The study demonstrates the occurrence of secondary rotation, wave stretching over time, and fluid ejection at the interface between the IGC and a lower gravity current (LGC). Results indicate that, aside from J and R, the density difference between the IGC and the LGC has an impact on Holmboe instability. However, a reduction in the density difference does not manifest consistently in the frequency, growth rate, and phase speed, though it does cause an increase in the wavelength. It is important to note that small particles do not affect the Holmboe instability of the IGC, while larger particles cause the current to become unstable and vary the characteristics of Holmboe instability. Moreover, an increase in the particle diameter size results in an increment in the wavelength, growth rate, and phase speed; but is accompanied by a decrease in frequency. Additionally, the enlargement of the bed slope angle makes the IGC more unstable, encouraging the growth of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves; however, this causes Holmboe waves to disappear on inclined beds. Finally, a range for the instabilities of both Kelvin-Helmholtz and Holmboe is provided., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

A gravity current in a channel at the presence of a triangular obstacle was investigated using LES simulation and the Eulerian approach. The Saffman-Mei equation was also applied to examine the effect of shear-induced lift force on particle deposition. To this end, particles were considered as Lagrangian markers and injected into gravity current. It is important to keep in mind that the interaction between the gravity current and particles was treated as a one-way coupling. The results show that shear-induced lift force prevents particles to deposit at the entrance of channel, where the velocity gradient is high. Furthermore, a reduction in the rate of sediment deposition can be seen again in the vicinity of obstacle due to high velocity gradient. The important result is that the shear-induced lift force has an important role in the cases with considerable velocity gradient in quasi-steady flows and this force can affect the pattern of sedimentation over time. Q criterion is utilized to depict the vortical structures of flow. Vortical structures with larger diameter, that indicate stronger vortexes, has been seen in various sections of channel, especially in the region near the obstacle due to the presence of obstacle.

Turbidity currents are frequently observed in natural and man-made environments, with the potential of adversely impacting the performance and functionality of hydraulic structures through sedimentation and reduction in storage capacity and an increased erosion. Construction of obstacles upstream of hydraulic structures is a common method of tackling adverse effects of turbidity currents. This paper numerically investigates the impacts of obstacle's height and geometrical shape on the settling of sediments and hydrodynamics of turbidity currents in a narrow channel. A robust numerical model based on LES method was developed and successfully validated against physical modelling measurements. This study modelled the effects of discretization of particles size distribution on sediment deposition and propagation in the channel. Two obstacles geometry including rectangle and triangle were studied with varying heights of 0.06, 0.10 and 0.15 m. The results show that increasing the obstacle height will reduce the magnitude of dense current velocity and sediment transport in narrow channels. It was also observed that the rectangular obstacles have more pronounced effects on obstructing the flow of turbidity current, leading to an increase in the sediment deposition and mitigating the impacts of turbidity currents.