Advanced Post-Processing and Correlation Analyses in High-Velocity Air-Water Flows

The interest in air-water flows has not diminished in recent years, but it is accompanied by frequent citations of early, sometimes outdated articles. A basic issue is the inadequate, incomplete interpretation of air-water flow instrumentation by hydraulic engineers and researchers. This article comments on high-velocity air-water flow measurements by means of intrusive phase detection probes. This article focus on the bubbly flow structure of high-velocity air-water flow based upon measurements by means of intrusive phase detection probes. It is shown that some advanced post-processing techniques may yields expanded information on the air-water turbulent flow properties and bubbly flow structures. The outcomes demonstrate simple techniques in high-velocity air-water flow analysis

Hydraulic engineering in the 21st century: Where to?

For centuries, hydraulic engineers were at the forefront of science. The last forty years marked a change of perception in our society with a focus on environmental sustainability and management, particularly in developed countries. Herein, the writer illustrates his strong belief that the future of hydraulic engineering lies upon a combination of innovative engineering, research excellence and higher education of quality. This drive continues a long tradition established by eminent scholars like Arthur Thomas IPPEN, John Fisher KENNEDY and Hunter ROUSE

Turbulent length-time scales distributions in hydraulic jumps

Air–water flow measurements were performed in hydraulic jump flows for a range of inflow Froude numbers. The experiments were conducted in a large-sized facility using phase-detection intrusive probes. The void fraction measurements showed the presence of an advective diffusion shear layer where the air concentration vertical distributions were successfully compared with an analytical solution of the advective diffusion equation for air bubbles. In the air–water shear layer, a new empirical relationship between the maximum air concentration decay as a function of both the distance from the jump toe and the inflow Froude number was derived. Air–water turbulent time and length scales were deduced from auto- and cross-correlation analyses based on the method of Chanson (2007). The result provided some characteristic transverse time and length scales of the eddy structures advecting the air bubbles in the developing shear layer. The turbulence time scale data showed an increase with the relative elevation above the bed, as well as some decrease with increasing distance from the toe. The dimensionless integral turbulent length scale Lxz/d1 was closely related to the inflow depth

Discussion of "Hydraulics of broad-crested weirs with varying side slopes" by J. E. Sargison and A. Percy

The hydraulics of broad-crested weirs is influenced by the weir inflow design. It is highlighted herein that the inflow geometry including the rounding of the weir upstream edge has a marked effect on the flow pattern and discharge coefficient. In the case of an upstream vertical wall, the optimum design includes a rounded upstream corner (Harrison 1967, Bos 1976, Montes 1998). An upstream side slope may provide an alternative design for embankment structure although with a lower discharge coefficient (Sargison and Percy 2009)

Characteristics of Undular Hydraulic Jumps: Experimental Apparatus and Flow Patterns

In open channels, the transition from supercritical to subcritical flows is called a hydraulic jump. For low upstream Froude numbers, free-surface undulations develop downstream of the jump and the hydraulic jump is called an undular jump. New experiments on undular hydraulic jumps were performed in a rectangular channel in which the upstream flows were fully developed turbulent shear flows. In this paper, the main flow patterns are described. Visual and photographic observations indicate five types of undular jumps. One of the main flow characteristics is the presence of lateral shock waves for Froude numbers larger than 1.2. The results show that the disappearance of undular jump occurs for Froude numbers ranging from 1.5 to 2.9 and that the wave length and amplitude of the free-surface undulations are functions of the upstream Froude number and the aspect ratio yc/W

Overflow Characteristics of Cylindrical Weirs

The most common types of weirs are the broad-crested weir, the sharp-crested weir, the circular-crested weir and nowadays the ogee crest weir. Advantages of the cylindrical weir shape include the stable overflow pattern, the ease to pass floating debris, the simplicity of design compared to ogee crest design and the associated lower costs. Related applications include roller gates and inflated rubber dams. In this report, the authors describe new experiments of circular weir overflows, with eight cylinder sizes, for several weir heights and for five types of inflow conditions : partially-developed inflow, fully-developed inflow, upstream ramp, upstream undular hydraulic jump and upstream (breaking) hydraulic jump. Within the range of the experiments, the cylinder size, the weir height D/R and the presence of an upstream ramp had no effect on the discharge coefficient, flow depth at crest and energy dissipation. But the inflow conditions had substantial effects on the discharge characteristics and flow properties at the crest

Overflow Characteristics of Circular Weirs : Effect of Inflow Conditions

The most common types of weirs are the broad-crested weir, the sharp-crested weir, the circular-crested weir and nowadays the ogee crest weir. Advantages of the cylindrical weir shape include the stable overflow pattern, the ease to pass floating debris, the simplicity of design compared to ogee crest design and the associated lower costs. In this study, the authors describe new experiments of circular weir overflows, with eight cylinder sizes, for several weir heights and for five types of inflow conditions : partially-developed inflow, fully-developed inflow, upstream ramp, upstream undular hydraulic jump and upstream (breaking) hydraulic jump. Within the range of the experiments, the cylinder size, the weir height D/R and the presence of an upstream ramp had no effect on the discharge coefficient, flow depth at crest and energy dissipation. But the inflow conditions had substantial effects on the discharge characteristics and flow properties at the crest. Practically the results indicate that discharge measurements with circular weirs are significantly affected by the upstream flow conditions

Introducing Originality and Innovation in Engineering Teaching: The Hydraulic Design of Culverts

Recently the teaching of engineering design has become a presentation of standards and codes rather than the learning of sound design practices. Too many students request formulae and equations to solve a design exercise and they fail to develop any design originality. The present student attitude leads to young graduate engineers without critical ability and innovative flair. The writer has developed an innovative hydraulic design exercise based upon culvert design. Each design exercise could lead to more than one correct design per student in the class. Students have to learn basic design calculations based upon lecture material, notes, field visits and laboratory experiment. The practical component (laboratory, field visit) contributes significantly to their understanding of the complete system, including some basic safety and professional issues