2-DIMENSIONAL FLOW MODEL FOR TRAPEZOIDAL HIGH-VELOCITY CHANNELS

A two-dimensional numerical flow model for trapezoidal high-velocity c hannels is developed. The model is designed specifically for simulatio n of flow in channels having sloping sidewalls in which the depth is a n unknown variable in the governing equations and therefore the plan v iew of the flow domain is not known a priori. Solutions are obtained b y time stepping from specified initial conditions using an implicit Pe trov-Galerkin moving finite-element representation of the governing eq uations. The moving finite-element model produces a simultaneous solut ion for the boundary displacement and flow variables. This implementat ion provides stable solutions for supercritical flow even at relativel y large Courant numbers. The model is tested by comparison of simulati on results with laboratory data. These data sets serve as a basis for evaluation of the numerical model and should also prove useful to rese archers in testing other numerical flow models applied to supercritica l flow in channels having sloping sidewalls.