Experimental and numerical analysis of hydrofoil weir flow

The characteristics of turbulent flow over the NACA0018, NACA0021 and NACA0024 hydrofoil weirs placed in an open channel are investigated experimentally and numerically for different flow conditions. The velocity fields of hydrofoil weir flows are measured by Laser Doppler Anemometer and Particle Imaging Velocity Measurement Technique. The governing equations of the flow are solved by ANSYS-Fluent program using Standard k-e, Renormalization group k-e, Realizable k-e, Modified k-w, Shear Stress Transport and Reynolds Stress Model turbulence models. Performance of the turbulence models are quantitatively determined with the Mean Square Error method. The free surface profiles of the flow are calculated numerically by Volume of Fluid method. The experimental and numerical velocity and free surface profiles, turbulence characteristics, pressure distributions on weirs surface and experimental discharge coefficients are determined for different structure and flow conditions. From the comparison of experimental and numerical findings, Standard k- model is found the most successful turbulence model in predicting the velocity and flow profiles for all hydrofoil weirs.