Determining Turbulence Intensity in a 180 Degree Sharp Bend Channel Using Experimental Data

Turbulence is one of the most important features of the flow pattern in a bend which influences a lot of processes occurred in rivers including erosion, sediment transport, bed morphology, and shape of natural channels. In this study, in order to determine the turbulence intensity through bend channels, the flow velocity components at different sections of the 180 degree sharp bend channel (the ratio of central radius to the channel width equals 2, with rigid bed and roughness provided) were collected using Vectrino 3D velocimeter in the hydraulic laboratory of Persian Gulf University. In this paper, the turbulence intensities were measured, compared and analyzed in RMS form in various depths and directions. The results of the experiment indicates that the maximum turbulence intensity along width and depth at the layer near the bed were 70 and 25% of the maximum turbulence intensity along the length, respectively. Moreover, the turbulence intensities were compared at various depths and the results demonstrated a 25% decrease in the longitudinal turbulence intensity upon distancing from the bed to the water surface.