Experimental and numerical analysis of subcritical open channel flow using k-ε turbulence models

The velocity field of gradually varied sub-critical open channel flow (M1 profile) is measured using a one-dimensional Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA) for two different discharge conditions. Using Standard k-ε (SKE), Renormalization Group k-ε (RNG) and Realizable k-ε (RKE) turbulence models, the basic equations are solved by ANSYS-Fluent package program based on finite volume method for the same experimental conditions. The volume of fluid method (VOF) is used to determine the water surface profile theoretically. Grid Convergence Index (GCI) method is used to measure the performance of the selected grid structures. The results of numerical calculations compared with the values that obtained experimentally. The comparisons of the numerical and experimental results show that the Reliazable k-ε (RKE) turbulence model predict the velocity field more accurately compared to those of the other turbulence models used in this study.