Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Suspended Curtain for Sediment Trapping

Abstract

Simple and effective technologies for promoting deposition and preventing scour have become the focus of intense research in recent years. This study investigated the hydrodynamic characteristics of an improved single suspended curtain (SC) structure for sediment trapping. The SC consisted of a thin, durable floating sheet, strings, and holding anchors. The floating sheet was fixed to the bed by the strings and anchors. The curtain itself was rigid, but could be free to orientate with the approaching flow. The majority of the flow passed over the curtain, and a large transverse recirculation zone developed on the lee side of the curtain. The inclination of the SC, recirculation zone, and forces on the SC under uniform flow condition were investigated. In addition, corresponding empirical formulas were proposed for calculating the inclination angle, recirculation length, drag coefficient, and anchoring force.