Two-Dimensional Solution for Straight and Meandering Overbank Flows

Abstract

This paper presents a practical method to predict depth-averaged velocity and shear stress for straight and meandering overbank flows. An analytical solution to the depth-integrated turbulent form of the Navier-Stokes equation is presented that includes lateral shear and secondary flows in addition to bed friction. The novelty of the present approach is not only its inclusion of the secondary flows in the formulation but also its applicability to straight and meandering channels. The analytical solution is applied to a number of channels, at model and field scales, and is also compared with other available methods such as that of Shiono and Knight and the lateral distribution method. The present formulation gives much better predictions of velocity and shear stress, particularly in those cases where the secondary flows are dominant.