Author(s): J.P. Martín-Vide; P.J.M. Moreta; S. López-Querol

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Keywords: Compound channel; foodplain; meanders; vegetation; 1D-modelling

Abstract: This paper shows that common open channel flow one-dimensional (1-D) numerical models behave poorly in terms of flow distribution across a section in a naturalized meandering channel with vegetated floodplains.We compared numerical models with new experiments carried out in a physical model on a reach of the Besòs river close to Barcelona that has been restored. The case examined has floodplains with thick vegetation, a low-flow meandering channel and high water depths over the main channel and floodplains. 1-D models overestimate velocities in the main channel but underestimate them on the floodplains. The paper gives a detailed description of an improved 1-D computation method based on the consideration of the total shear stress at the main channel-floodplain interface (the sum of turbulent friction plus lateral momentum transfer) on the one hand, and the influence of upstream velocity distribution with the help of two-dimensional numerical models on the other hand.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2008.9521860

Year: 2008