Experimental Investigation of Flow Hydraulic in the Branch of rivers (A Case Study: Karkheh River)

After Hamidieh Diversion Dam near the city of Hamidieh, Karkheh River is divided into two streams known as Hufel and Nissan. At the lower flow rates, Nissan makes up a greater share than Hufel due to the steeper slope of the former. This study attempted to construct a hydraulic structure to appropriately divide water flow in Hufel. In a laboratory experiment, a flume with a 90-degree bend was used at Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz. Various experiments were conducted at different widths and heights. Furthermore, this model was simulated through CCHE2D, the results of which were compared against those of physical and mathematical models. The results indicated that the weir height increased the deviation flow percentage to the Hufel stream due to rising water level. Moreover, the deviation flow percentage to Hufel was declined as the weir width was increased due to falling water level. At Hufel, the installation of rectangular weir in different dimensions yielded the minimum of 34.3% and the maximum of 61.5% increase in the flow rate. In the normal mode without any weirs installed, however, there would be an increase in the flow rate, as compared to the mode where a weir has been installed. This can be associated with the flow controlled by the weir. On average, the deviation flow rate was increased by 2.8% in the weir mode and 7.7% in the weir-less one. An increase in the Froude number from 0.21 to 0.38 led to a lower average deviation flow rate by 19.3%. Moreover, the results of the simulation through CCHE2D were demonstrated to be largely similar to those of physical model experiments. However, an increase in the Froude number did not lead to a decline in the deviation flow rate (i.e. it remained constant). This trend was inconsistent with the results of the physical model.