Author(s): Tino Kostic; Nils Ruther
Linked Author(s): Nils Rüther
Keywords: Baffle wall CFD bedload transport sediment control
Abstract: Hydraulic structures, especially water intake structures are often embossed by unwanted sediment deposits which can greatly impact their operation efficiency and longevity. This paper introduces an effect created by flow under partially submerged angled vertical baffle walls on bedload transport. The effect was investigated with a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a straight rectangular channel with a baffle wall angled in flow direction. The baffle wall was submerged from the surface for only 20% of the water depth into the water. The channel bottom was defined as a solid, non-erodible material and the sediment was added through a sediment source in the inlet area. Due to the specific flow conditions caused by water flow under the baffle, a vortex on one side of the channel was created which was bypassed by the bedload in the model. This effect can be used in the future to guide the bedload movement in channels and sluices and to protect hydraulic structures from unwanted bedload deposits.
Year: 2025