Universidad de la Salle

Civil Engineering Program

Fluids Mechanics
Group # 4
Pardo Valderrama Santiago Javier
Code.: 40101067

ASSESSMENT OF A RIVER REACH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLUID

DYNAMICS STUDIES
ALEXANDER N. SUKHODOLOV AND WIM S. J. UIJTTEWAAL

ESSAY
This paper show me experimental studies that was madden in a river reach
especially focused on the understanding of the spatial arrangement of the flow
structure and its dependency on the temporal variability of the flow. They used
ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocimenters) and the characterization of a threedimensional open-channel flow. They also began to study particular
characteristics of river reach from the riverbanks until the central part of the
flow, measuring devices used in this study was ADV using for measurements of
three-dimensional fluctuating velocities and direct estimates of turbulent shear
stresses. ADV holders to support the team and have a better mobility of it, ADV
units were operated using the CollectV 3.3 software. Station ELTA R55 was used
for perform accurate positioning and orienting of ADV sensors and geodetic
measurements.
About program, it was designed to obtain a data that allowed them to examine
the turbulence of the structure of the flow in a section and their changes due to
the discharge of water and respective river submergence. Profiles were
separated about 1.25 m, each vertical profile included 11 measuring points
uniformly distributed over the area. In each point, three-dimensional velocity
vectors were collected by ADV in a period of 4 minutes with a frequency of 25
HZ.
Analysis was obtain due to specific study of each axis where the x axis parallel
to the line of mean change in riverbed elevation, axis y normal to the
riverbanks and originating at the river centerline and positively directed toward
the right bank. The vertical axis z with the origin at the mean riverbed
elevation is positively directed toward the free surface and the riverbed is
inclined at an angle with respect to horizontal.

These experiments allowed to demonstrate that the transversal hear stresses

are smaller than vertical in the flow area close to the bed and in the central
part of the channel also show that the weight of water per unit volume in the
cross section of a river channel is balanced by the shear stresses exerted by
the flow friction over the banks and riverbed it can be confirmed by a equation
like that

v ' ) ( u w + u 'w ' )

i h
( u v + u'
+
=g 0
y
z
x

Where: u = instantaneous velocity, streamwise velocity component

v = transverse velocity component,

i 0 = slope of the riverbed

h = flow depth

These are the points most relevant study with them see that the sector and the
instruments go hand in hand because they chose a river with variable channel
in small sections and at the same time used the ADV to his precise
measurement achieving so get very specific features of the environment and
behavior of the river from riverbanks both sides.
This study generated in the river is very useful when you want to put into
practice the things that can be studied theoretically but at the same time
knowledge acquired during experimentation are hardly greeted in theory
because there are external factors to the calculations which is better to live it.
Although the article is based on the environmental study of the fluid, the fluid
dynamics which takes account for the same is very important for me as a civil
engineer precisely by that my aim of study in fluid mechanics is observe, study
and calculate the movement of fluids.
By this I mean that the measures made determining turbulence, shear stresses
due to the fluid, the behavior of the fluid, shear flows and many more features
that occur in it are essential for knowledge I need for fluid mechanics, but at
the same time will be a basis for the themes of channels and pipes.
What find me most important of the knowledge acquired in the study is the
relationship that takes in the experiment of fluid behavior is a general feature
that always serves for the interpretation of daily problems. It is also using prior
knowledge for me (which is the topography) when they do field study, this
reminds me to do field study in any aspect of my career not only for mechanics

of fluids because is very important and is the only way to verify the theory also
is a good source of information for analysis and interpretation as there are
many facts that are overlooked when they are only handled data.
In the results is clearly my point of view because they say that the results of
the field study served to assess the structure of turbulent flow in a river reach
which means that with the calculations the implementation of a field study the
analysis of the results are easier to explain.
About measurements that they made it was very obvious to me that the
equipment used for the determination of quantitative amounts are accurate
and that the ADV are devices with good accuracy. They opted for use the
theory of open channel flow; as I know is a theory that simplifies us the
analysis of the conditions of a river as they are the forces of inertia, gravity and
viscosity; I think it is a good way of give direction to the study.
They also took a measure of the spectrum of turbulence which serves to have a
graphic representation of the phenomena presented in the area (unit for unit)
which facilitates the analysis. The velocity was another factor that they study
that is important for calculations and analysis but it is a factor extremely
necessary for begin an experimentation so it is important but at the same time
is almost a rule.
During the article we saw that the behaviour; the properties; they waxed on the
riverbanks of the river and in the depths of the same and its phenomena is not
presented at the center of it, I could explain from my point of view that the
riverbanks act more forces on the fluid also subjected to an irregular area that
makes water refractions of waves arise and generate more turbulence or flow
increase. Factors such as these are to which I referred earlier when I said that
there were external factors that most affect the calculations and also sees the
importance of field study.
In conclusion I can say that the factors to which they are subjected fluids in
nature are determinants for compressing them in a pipe, a channel or any
other means where this act.
Another conclusion is that all this behavior is seen and analyzed can
understand the experiments carried out in laboratories of fluid mechanics much
easier and will be a good basis for the laboratories of channels and pipes.