Main Flow Velocity in Short River Bends

Abstract

Results of a mathematical model for the, depth‐averaged main flow velocity in shallow river bends are compared with measurements in two consecutive sharply‐curved short bends in the river Dommel, The Netherlands. The computed main velocity distribution agrees rather well with the measured one in the larger part of each bend. Near the bend exits, however, deviations occur which indicate that secondary flow convection should be included in the mathematical model. Also, the present model is used to verify some qualitative explanations for the skewing of the main velocity distribution (towards the inner bank in the first part of a bend, outwards further downstream) and to show the effect of flow stage variations on the streamline pattern.