Journal of Hydraulic Research

ISSN: 0022-1686 (Print) 1814-2079 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tjhr20

Space-time correlation structures of horizontal

coherent vortices in compound open-channel
flows by using particle-tracking velocimetry

Iehisa Nezu & Tadanobu Nakayama

To cite this article: Iehisa Nezu & Tadanobu Nakayama (1997) Space-time correlation structures
of horizontal coherent vortices in compound open-channel flows by using particle-tracking
velocimetry, Journal of Hydraulic Research, 35:2, 191-208, DOI: 10.1080/00221689709498426

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00221689709498426

Published online: 13 Jan 2010.

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Space-time correlation structures of horizontal coherent
vortices in compound open-channel flows by using
particle-tracking velocimetry
Evolution temporelle des systèmes de tourbillons
cohérents horizontaux dans les écoulements en canal a lits
composes au moyen d'une methode de suivi de particules
IEHISA NEZU, Professor, Department of Civil & Global Environment Engineering,
Kyoto University, Kyoto 606, Japan.

TADANOBU NAKAYAMA, Graduate student, Department of Civil & Global Environment

Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606, Japan.

ABSTRACT
In compound open-channel flows, it is very important to clarify an interaction mechanism between the main-
channel and flood-plains induced by coherent vortices, so-called the "intermittent upward secondary currents'
and the "large-scale horizontal vortices", as shown in Figure 1. In the present study, time-averaged structures
of secondary currents were revealed experimentally by making use of a two-component fiber-optic Laser
Doppler Anemometer (LDA). Next, a new quantitative visualization technique called the "Particle-Tracking
Velocimetry (PTV)" was used to investigate evolutionary patterns of horizontal large-scale vortices, which are
the ultimate interest in a shallow water flood-plain. By this technique, instantaneous velocity components in
arbitrary horizontal plane were obtained at all grid points of laser-light-sheet (LLS) from continuous four
images of one particle, and space-time correlation structures of coherent vortices between the main-channel
and flood-plain were investigated by using a conditional sampling technique.

RÉSUMÉ
Dans les écoulements en lits composes, il est tres important de clarifier Ie mécanisme d'interaction entre Ie lit
mineur et les lits majeurs du a des tourbillons cohérents appelés "courants secondaires verticaux intermittents"
et aux "tourbillons horizontaux de grande ampleur", tels que présentés sur la Figure 1. Dans la présente étude,
les structures moyennées dans Ie temps de ces courants secondaires ont été mises en evidence expérimentale-
ment au moyen d'un vélocimètre laser a fibre optique (LDA) a deux composantes. Puis, une nouvelle technique
quantitative de visualisation par suivi de particules appelée PTV ("Particle-Tracting Velocimetry") a été utilisée
pour analyser revolution des tourbillons horizontaux de grande ampleur qui sont du plus grand intérêt dans un
champ d'inondation a faible tirant d'eau. Parcette technique, les composantes instantanées de la vitesse dans un
plan horizontal quelconque peuvent être obtenues a tous les noeuds d'un maillage LLS a partir des quatre
images d'une particule, et les evolutions temporelles des systèmes de tourbillons cohérents horizontaux entre lit
mineur et lit majeur ont été étudiées au moyen d'une technique d'échantillonage conditionnel.

1 Introduction

Compound open-channel flows are composed of a deep main-channel and the adjacent shallow food-
plains. This is why hydraulic characteristics change rapidly near the junction between the main-
channel and flood-plains as the water surface is over the elevation of the flood-plains. Figure 1
shows a schematic 3-D flow model. When the water level is under the flood-plain, so called the
"low-water stage", river is a single open-channel flow; the fundamental characteristics are reviewed
in the IAHR monograph by Nezu & Nakagawa (1993). The time-averaged structure derived from the
Reynolds equation shows secondary currents peculiar to open-channel flows. For example, Nezu &

Revision received October 25, 1996. Open for discussion till October 31, 1997.

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC RESEARCH. VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2 191

Rodi (1985) found that when the aspect ratio of open channel is smaller than 5, the maximum veloc­
ity appears not on the free surface, but below the free surface; we call it the "velocity-clip phenome­
non', which is caused by secondary currents. Secondary currents are generated by anisotropy of
turbulence near the free surface, e.g. see the IAHR monograph by Nezu & Nakagawa (1993).
In contrast, when the water level is over the flood-plain elevation, so called the "high-water .stage",
the flow is composed of a deep main-channel and shallow flood-plains. We can observe two kinds
of vortices that are generated near the junction. One is a secondary current (flow) in the cross sec­
tion due to anisotropy of turbulence in the same mechanism as a single open-channel flow. The
other is a large-scale horizontal motion with a vertical axis due to high shear layer of primary
(streamwise) velocity distribution between the main-channel and flood-plain; this horizontal
motion is called here the "horizontal vortex". Actual vortex motions are, however, much more com­
plicated and indicate 3-D and time-dependent structures, because these two kinds of vortices have
close connection three-dimensionally with one another, as schematized in Figure 1.
Anisotropic turbulence near the junction causes secondary currents. But these secondary currents are
time-dependent and occur intermittently, and this time-dependent characteristic cannot be resolved
by only the anisotropic turbulence intensity, whereby spanwise component w' of turbulence intensity
is quite different from vertical component v' of turbulence intensity. It results in a complicated struc­
ture in compound open-channel flow, and generates 3-D coherent vortices related with the horizontal
vortex. Although the time-dependent structure of secondary currents are not necessarily revealed as
yet, Tominaga & Nezu (1991) have successfully conducted accurate turbulence measurements in
compound open-channel flows with a two-component fiber-optic laser Doppler anemometer (LDA)
and they have first revealed the structure of time-averaged secondary currents. Shiono & Knight
(1991) conducted turbulence measurements with an LDA for practical purposes in a large-scale
flood channel facility. On the other hand, numerical simulation has been developed in the field of
complex turbulence such as compound open-channel flows. Naot, Nezu & Nakagawa (1993 a, b)
have extended Naot & Rodi's (1982) model in single rectangular open-channel flow to compound
open-channel flow, and developed 3-D algebraic stress model (ASM) in compound open-channel
flows; this simulation is called here the "3N model". This 3N model coincided well with LDA data
of Tominaga & Nezu (1991). Cokljat & Younis (1995) have overcome a weak point of ASM that the
levels of anisotropic turbulence are somewhat underpredicted, and developed a Reynolds stress
model (RSM), which was also compared with LDA data of Tominaga & Nezu (1991). Furthermore,
Nezu & Naot (1995) have conducted accurate turbulence measurements in compound open channel
flows with variable-depth flood-plains using an innovative LDA system, and compared them with
the results of a 3-D ASM. More recently, Nezu (1996) compared new LDA database with the 3N
model in various compound open-channel flow geometry with smooth and rough flood-plains.
In contrast, no refined simulation of a horizontal vortex like an large-eddy simulation (LES) is
available because this vortex is time-dependent and has inherently a coherent structure. Tamai et al.
(1986) have evaluated shear stress in view of momentum transfer between the main-channel and
flood-plain. Ikeda et al. (1995) have studied horizontal vortex in terms of Rayleigh instability and
Karman's vortex street stability in a symmetric compound open-channel flow, and observed 3-D
structure of organized vortices by conditional sampling technique.
It is further necessary to investigate the hydrodynamic behaviors of coherent vortices in both space
and time in order to reveal the evolution mechanism of such vortices between the main-channel and
flood-plain, as shown in Figure 1. Fortunately, an innovative quantitative visualization technique
has recently be developed using a high-power laser-light-sheet (LLS) and a CCD camera. This
technique is called the "Particle-Tracking Velocimetry (PTV)", and it enables us to examine the

192 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35. 1997. NO. 2

instantaneous characteristics of coherent vortex in space, for example, space-time correlation. Fur­
thermore, the LLS is so thin (about 2mm thick) that the PTV is very effective for the measurement
of shallow flow such as compound open-channel flows with shallow flood-plains which cannot be
measured by the conventional instruments such as LDA.

(a) Low-Water Stage

. 't!, u- '\niaiy<

(b) High-Water Stage

Fig. I. Schematic description of secondary currents and horizontal vortices in (a) single and (b) open-
channel flows; (a) low-water stage and (b) high-water stage in rivers.

The aim of the present study is to clarify the space-time interaction mechanism between the main-
channel and flood-plain by coherent vortices in compound open-channel flows. Simultaneous
velocity components can be obtained at all grid points of arbitrary horizontal section by using the
present PTV, and the space-time characteristics in compound open-channel flows were evaluated
by space-time correlation analyses and conditional sampling methods. At the same time, the LDA
was used to verify the accuracy of the present PTV data, and the time-averaged structures of sec­
ondary currents were obtained accurately with the present innovative LDA system; more detailed
information is available in Nezu (1996).

2 Experimental apparatus and procedures

2.1 Point Measurements with LDA

The experiments were conducted in an 8m long, 30cm wide, 25cm deep acrylic flume. The side
walls of test section 5m downstream of the channel entrance were made of optical glass for LDA
and PTV measurements. Acrylic boxes were placed on the left side of the flume for compound
channel on the 7.5m distance with 50cm transition downstream of the entrance. Velocity compo­
nents (u,v ) were measured by setting the fiber probe of LDA beside the side wall, while (w,w)-com-
ponents were measured from above the free surface. These traversing mechanisms have 1/100mm
accuracy. The present measurements were conducted in tranquil flows at Froude number of about
0.1. The error of mean velocities U from both the side-setting and above-setting measurements was
within 2% of maximum velocity £/max, while the corresponding value of turbulence intensity u' was
within 3% of «'max. More detailed information is available in Nezu & Naot (1995). Table 1 indicates
hydraulic conditions for compound open-channel flows.

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC' RKSKARCH. VOL. 35. 1997, NO. 2 193

 Table 1. Hydraulic conditions.
CASE lb H Brr/B D:BS H/D Q Umax Re Fr
(cm) (l/s) (cm/s) (cm/s)
A 1/3000 6.0 0.333 1:0 1.2 0.92 11.5 19.9 2400 0.15
B 1/5000 7.5 0.333 1:0 1.5 1.06 8.5 17.9 2400 0.10
C 1/10000 10.0 0.333 1:0 2.0 1.29 6.4 16.0 2700 0.07
D 1/10000 10.0 0.667 1:0 2.0 2.45 9.8 16.0 5000 0.10
E 1/10000 10.0 0.500 1:1 2.0 2.64 11.1 15.9 5700 0.11
F 1/10000 10.0 0.333 1:2 2.0 3.00 13.2 16.7 6600 0.13

Ib= channel slope, otherwise, see Figure 2.

2.2 Instantaneous Space Measurements with PTV

Schematic arrangements for the present flow visualization and image analyses are shown in Figure
2. The experiments were conducted in case C (rectangular) and case F (26.7°-slope trapezoidal) of
Table 1. Nylon 12 particles (lOOum diameter and 1.02 specific gravity) were mixed into alcohol
and then uniformly scattered in the circulating water of the flume. 2W Argon-ion laser beam was
guided through an optic fiber cable and illuminated horizontally into the side-wall using a pair of
cylindrical lenses as 2mm thick LLS. About 10 kinds of LLS of the different elevations were used
for particle illumination. Images of tracers were stored on an optic disc in every l/30sec step (field-
image) for about one minute using a high-sensitive CCD camera that was placed above the free sur­
face. Every 479 x 479pixel of analytical image corresponded to 20 x 20cm of real section. Images
taken on the optic disc were computer-processed through a frame memory board. Instantaneous
velocities at many points in the LLS were calculated automatically by continuous four images of
one particle (four-field-images method) using particle-tracking algorithm with Kalman filter the­
ory. These velocity vectors of arbitrary points were interpolated by weighted-average method into
the velocities at the fixed grid points, which were used for the calculation of the correlation func­
tions. More detailed information is available in Nezu et al.(1994).

8mm Video Recorder

CCD n
Camera
UU 0 Frame Memory
am □ □a
oo n a n RS-232C
aan
CRVDisc
(o o (o o
K£_O_
Cylindrical aaa
s
lens Personal Moniter

- ^ >
-Illumination
Computer
n
M.O.Drive
Optic Fiber

LLUJLLLLI LAN
rrmrnm
Optic Shutter
Controller
Fig. 2. Experimental flume and PTV system.

194 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2

3 Results of' point measurements and discussion
3.1 Primary mean velocity and secondary currents
Figures 3 (a) and (b) show the isovel lines of primary mean velocity U and the corresponding sec­
ondary currents (V,W) that are normalized by maximum velocity (7m.lx for the case C. Figure 3(a) is
the result of observed data that were measured with the present LDA, whereas Figure 3(b) is the
result calculated by the 3-D ASM of Naot et al. (1993a, b), i. e., "3N model". Isovel lines bulge sig­
nificantly upward in the vicinity of the junction edge in the case C, which corresponds to the
"inclined upflow " of secondary currents peculiar to compound open-channels. Figures 4 (a) and (b)
show the measured and calculated results for the case F, respectively. The main characteristics are
described in the following aspects. Firstly, as the flood-plain depth is shallower, the "velocity dip "
phenomenon occurs more clearly in the main-channel as pointed out by Nezu & Nakagawa (1993).
That is to say, as the flood-plain depth is shallower, the maximum velocity appears below the free
surface because the aspect ratio of main channel becomes less than 5. In this shallow flow, the
velocity gradient dU/dz becomes larger, which tends to make a higher shear layer and a stronger
large-scale horizontal vortex. Secondly, as the slope 8 of trapezoidal depth-varying flood-plain is
smaller, the bulges near the junction become weaker and more vertical. In general, the results of
both measurements and calculations are in a good agreement with each other, although some differ­
ences are recognized.

0.G2L',™
I»,»»
1.0 Ï
10 <7

y/H
CASE IC
H/D = 2.0 H-IO.Q(on)
y/H
1;'" *.'.'. ".*.".".*. i'.' \'.'.'. \ ::::::::::;-
W/D=2.0
'0mm
Fr-0.07 fl»-2.7x103
0.0
o.o J ' 1.0
0.0 0.33 zIB 0.67 1-0 0.0 0.33 z/g 0.67

(a) Measured 00 Calculated

Fig. 3. Isovel lines of U and the corresponding secondary currents (V,W) for the case C.

3.2 Turbulence characteristics

Figures 5 (a) and (b) show the isolines of the vertical component of turbulence intensity v' for the
case C, which is normalized by the averaged friction velocity along the perimeter U,. All three
components of turbulence intensities u', v', w', increased in the vicinity of the junction, but some
differences were shown as follows. Firstly, the minimum region of u' and w' appeared below the
free surface, whereas v' decreases monotonically as the free surface is approached; that is a notice­
able feature peculiar to narrow open-channel flows. Secondly, the pattern of v' near the junction is

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC RESEARCH. VOL. 35, 1997. NO. 2 195

quite different from that of w'; this means a strong anisotropy of turbulence and consequently a
driving force of secondary currents near the junction.

Q.02U™*
0.a2Umtx
1.0
(v,w*
1.0 ■ . . . . . - — —
_
■ ', " *.* - v\v^ i • .". . * ' . , * '. \ . T I T " — ..irrr :—::•.
;;;; WÊËM |t;:i:iji:; !:::::
y/H !H
CASE : F ^ ^ ^ ^ 1'. '.'.'.'.'. 1'. '. i
CASE.F
^™:lüH!!:!!ï!
H/D=2-Q H=1Q.Q (cm)
Fr = 0.13 fl#=6.6x1Q3
^ ^ 4 - * ' 1!," >
^ ^ - s L : " " " V iji/ 0.0^
H/D= 2.0

o.o-
0.0 0.33 Z/B 0.67 1.0 0.0 0.33
zIB 0.67 1.0

(a) Measured (t>) Calculated

Fig. 4. Isovel lines of t/ and the corresponding secondary currents (V, W) for the case F.

CJ o.o J
0.0 0.33 0.67 1.0

z/e
(a) Measured (b) Calculated
Fig. 5. Vertical component of turbulence intensity v' for the case C.

1.0 1.0

y/H y/H

0.0 - 0.0
0.0 0.33 0.67 0.0 0.33 0.67
zlB ZlB
(a) Case C (b) Case F
Fig. 6. Contours of lateral Reynolds stress (-uw) for the case C and F.
Figures 6 (a) and (b) are the contour lines of the lateral Reynolds stress (-uw) for the case C and F;
this implies the interaction between the main-channel and flood-plain. The main characteristic is
the drastic changes of the value near the junction and its value is greatest in the high shear layer
formed near the junction. Furthermore, the behavior of this quantity is closely correlated with that
of the velocity gradient dlJ/dz. . In contrast, Figures 7 (a) and (b) show the vertical Reynolds stress
component (-uv). As the flood-plain depth is shallower, the negative stress regions are more wider
in the main channel due to the velocity-dip phenomena.

196 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35. 1997. NO. 2

 1.0-,

y/H
CASE:C
H/D-2.0 H=10.0(cm)
Fr=0.07 fl»=2.7xi03
0.0
o.o 0.33 z/g 0.67
zlB

(a) Case C (b) Case F

Fig. 7. Contours of vertical Reynolds stress (-uv) for the cases C and F.

4 Experimental results of PTV and discussion

4.1 Accuracy of the PTV measurements

PTV has the great advantage that the instantaneous velocity components can be obtained at many
points of arbitrary plane, but it has some errors due to bad follower behavior of tracers, image anal­
yses and interpolations. Firstly, these noise components of high frequency in raw data were
removed by the filter using Fourier transform technique.
As for preliminary experiments, velocity spectra were measured from the velocity vectors at the
interpolated fixed points of space and these distributions were in a good agreement with the well-
known Kolmogoroff-5/3 power law, as shown by Nezu et al. (1994). Therefore, they concluded
that their PTV has a considerable accuracy in turbulence measurements for the flows with complex
cross-sections such as compound channels.

1,0

LDA PTV y/H

0.91 ° 0.93
• 0.69
X 0.58
0.8
* 0.55
» 0.42

5 <" n 0.26
■ 0.08

0.6
CASE:C
0.5 MAIN
FLOOD PLAIN
CHANNEL

-*<
0.4
0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80
zIB

Fig. 8. Comparison of PTV data with LDA data.

It is necessary to examine the accuracy of the present PTV measurements. Some comparisons were
made between the PTV data and the LDA data, which were obtained in the same hydraulic conditions,
but not simultaneously. Figure 8 shows the comparison of both data of primary mean velocity U for
the case C. Both these results are in a good agreement with each other, although some differences are

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC RESEARCH, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2 197

recognized. The errors of both measurements were within only about 5%, and it is seen that the
present PTV has a considerable accuracy. Of particular significance are, however, large errors
near the junction and at the borders of the image-analysis area. Near the junction, the velocity gradient
dll/dz and turbulence become considerably large, and consequently the 3-D characteristics of flow
peculiar to the compound open-channel flows appear clearly, as schematized in Figure 1(b).
The present 2-D PTV may generate some errors due to strong secondary currents near the junction.
The 3-D PTV may be necessary near the junction, but its arrangement is not so easy at present. At the
borders of the area, the number of the tracking vectors becomes smaller and hence the accuracy of
interpolation becomes lower. Furthermore, the vertical distribution of standard deviation of the
velocity is largest at the elevation of the flood-plain; that is due to the effect of secondary currents in
the vertical plain.

4.2 Non-conditional space-time correlation analyses

The strong advantage of PTV is that it can obtain a space correlation directly from the instantane­
ous velocity components at many points of arbitrary plain, and consequently it is not necessary to
adopt the "Taylor'sfrozen-turbulence hypothesis ". Therefore, space-time correlation structures can
be clarified more accurately, that enable us to analyze general properties of large-scale coherent
vortex generated near the junction by the interaction between the main-channel and flood-plains.
An example of a velocity vector field near the free surface in a shallower flood-plain depth flow at
a certain time is shown in Figures 9 (a)-(d), and each panel indicates the area of 29 x 29cm (see
Nezu & Nakayama (1996)). Figure 9 (a) shows a instantaneous velocity vector field normalized by
a bulk mean velocity (/,„„,„. In shallower flood-plain flows, low-speed flows generated at the flood-
plain move toward the junction and roll up there, and again, move toward the flood-plain. This
means that the horizontal vortex is composed of a parcel of low-speed and high-speed flows, and
this horizontal vortex has a great relationship with the interaction between the main-channel and
flood-plain. Figures 9 (b)-(d) show instantaneous velocity vector fields that arc viewed in movable
coordinates of mean velocities in the main-channel Un, at the junction Uj, and on the flood-plain Up
respectively. Closed and identified vortices are more clearly seen in Figures 9 (c)-(d), and this
implies that the horizontal vortex generated near the junction on the flood-plain plays an important
role on the interacion mechanism between the main-channel and flood-plain.
However, this horizontal vortex cannot be seen so clearly when the flood-plain is deeper. In such a
flow, the coherent structure is mainly composed of the horizontal vortex and the secondary cur­
rents, and these two coherent vortices have a great influence with each other. So, the vortex motion
indicates a 3-D structure and is much more complicated. Therefore, a space-time correlation analy­
sis is very effective in such a deeper flood-plain flow.
Space correlation coefficients C„„, (Ax, x- 0) between the streamwise turbulence component u and
the spanwise component w at the separation distance of Ax in the streamwise direction, and the inte­
gral eddy scales Lx and L: are defined, respectively, as follows:

u (x0)w (x0 + Ax)

L, = fCuu(Ax)d(Ax) and L: = JC,m(Az)d(Az) (2)

198 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES. VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2

 'um„„ t - 13(a) t - 14(a) t - 15(a)

(a) Instantaneous velocity vector fields normalized by a bulk mean velocity Um,

t = 14 (s) t - 15 (s)

(b) Instantaneous velocity vector fields viewed in the movable coordinate of a

mean velocity in the main-channel Um.

t W , t-.13(s) t - 14 (s) t - 15 (s)

(c) Instantaneous velocity vector fields viewed in the movable coordinate of a

mean velocity at the junction Uj,

?m

U„„„-U, t = 13(a) 14(8) 15(s)

(d) Instantaneous velocity vector fields viewed in the movable coordinate of a

mean velocity on the flood-plain Uf.
Fig. 9. Velocity vector fields near the free surface in a shallower flood-plain depth flow (see Nezu &
Nakayama(l996)).

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC RESEARCH, VOL. 35. I997, NO. 2 199

Figures 10 (a)-(c) show some examples of non-conditional (conventional) space-time
correlation coefficients C,ljuj for the fixed point x versus the lag-time T near the height of the flood-
plain (y/H = 0.58) and the free surface (y/H = 0.85); the elevation of flood-plain is y/H = 0.5. Dotted
lines imply the negative values, and each panel indicates the area of 12cm in the streamwise
direction and of 17cm in the spanwise direction. An evolution of correlation region can be seen
clearly. Of significant characteristics in compound open-channel flows is that near the height of
flood-plain, vortices of correlation are often convected to the main-channel side, whereas near the
free surface, they often convected to the flood-plain side. This is related with the movement and the
mixture of fluids, as visualized by Ishigaki & Imamoto (1995). In comparison with Figure 3, the
above-mentioned feature is caused by the secondary cells in the flood-plain side. This feature could
also be shown in the case F, but it was not so clear than in the case C. Figure 10 (c) is a cross-corre­
lation coefficient of u and w, and these show the interaction between the main-channel and flood-
plain.
Furthermore, the relation between the convection velocity of vortices and mean velocity was evalu­
ated. For the streamwise direction, the convection velocity is about 90% of mean velocity. Aspect
ratio of the integral eddy scales (r=L./Lx) versus the lag-time is shown in Figures 11 (a) and (b). At
the height of flood-plain (y/H = 0.58), the aspect ratio decreases monotonically as the time passes at
the flood-plain apart from the junction (point:C), whereas it begins to increase from a certain time
at the flood-plain near the junction (point:B) and also at the main-channel near the junction
(point:A). Similar tendency is seen near the free surface (y/H = 0.85), but it is less remarkable than
near the junction.

T = 0 /30(s) 3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12/30(s)

15/30(s) 18/30(s) 21/30(s) 24/30(s) 27/30(s)

(a) Cm, between «(/) and u(t+f) at y/H =0.58

Fig. 10. Non-conditional space-time correlations for the case C.

200 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2

 .0 0.17 0.33 x/B
Main Channel

T = 0 /30(s) 3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12/30(s)

Flood Plain
Fixed poinl —-i

15/30(s) 18/30(s) 21/30(s) 24/30(s) 27/30(s)

(b) Cww between w(t) and w(t+r) at y/# =0.85

Main Channel
Flood Plain

.0 0.17 0.33 x/B

T=0/30(s) 3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12/30(s)
Fixed poinl—n

15/30(s) 18/30(s) 21/30(s) 24/30(s) 27/30(s)

(c) Cm» between «(f) and w{t+%) at y/H =0.58

Fig. 10. Non-conditional space-time correlations for the case C.

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC RESEARCH, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2 201

 0.8
CASE:C
0.7 y/H = 0.85
• A(z/B=0.73)
0.6 • B (Z/B=0.60)
« C (2/B=0.47)
0.5

i 0.4

0.3

02

0.1

0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

Lag Time (sec) Lag Time (sec)

(a) At the height of flood-plain (y/H =0.58) (b) Near the free surface (y/H =0.85)

Fig. 11. Aspect-ratio of integral eddy vs. lag-time T.

4.3 Conditional space-time correlation analyses

In non-conditional space-time correlation analyses, the intermittent structures and phase patterns
of coherent vortex and its evolution mechanism may not be detected. Therefore, characteristic values
are sampled only if they are satisfied with a particular condition, and then ensemble-averaged meth­
ods are used. In this study, the analyses were conducted by the same method as Nezu & Nakagawa
(1993) who have used the "quadrant-threshold" technique in bursting phenomena near the wall.
It is seen from Figure 6 that the values of -uw are positive near the junction side of the main-
channel, whereas they are negative near the junction side of the flood-plain. Therefore, velocity
fluctuations occur more dominantly in both the second(« < 0, w > 0) and fourth (u > 0, w < 0)
quadrants. Figure 12 is a schematic view of this characteristic, and a threshold level //'is set for the
conditionally averaged space-time correlation analyses. As the hole size H' is larger, the condition
is stricter for selection of coherent vortex.

Flow towards _
Main Channel

\^Flow towards
^ Flood Plain
Fig. 12. Setting of a threshold level H' in the quadrant analyses.
Figures 13 (a) and (b) show the fractional contributions to the Reynolds stress -uw that are normal­
ized by u'w'. If the indicated fractions are divided by the correlation coefficient of the lateral
Reynolds stress/? = (-uw/u'w'), their summation is equal to one at H' = 0. In compound open-
channel flows, the value of -uw attains zero near the junction (see Figure 6), and therefore, it is not
desirable to be divided by R. It can be seen that the contribution of the second quadrant
(RS2:w < 0, w > 0) exceeds that of the fourth quadrant (RS4: u > 0, w < 0) in the main-channel near

202 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35, 1997. NO. 2

the junction (z/B = 0.73) in the case C. whereas it is opposite at the flood-plain point (z/B = 0.40) in
the case F. These facts imply that the low-speed fluid converts from the flood-plain to the main-
channel, whereas the high-speed fluid converts from the main-channel to the flood-plain. They are
the main factors of coherent vortex and affect the interaction between the main-channel and flood-
plain. The contributions of both the first and third quadrants are negligibly small in the case C; that
is closely connected with the magnitude and angle of inclined upflow of secondary currents gener­
ated at the junction when the slope angle 6 changes. In the case F, both the first and third quadrants
have greater contributions than in the case C.

■l
0.4
' CASE:C CASE:F
y/H = 0.54
y/H = 0.S8
z/B = 0.40
z/B = 0.73
0 o RS1
RS1
A Hall-value A RS2
RS2
+ RS3 threshold levels + RS3
X RS4 J
>. RS4

He'] \Hs'
Hs'\ '.He'

-0.2
4 0 6.0 4.0 6.0 8.0
Hole Size H ' Hole Size H'

(a) Case C (b) Case F

Fig. 13. Fractional contributions to Reynolds stress vs. H'.
Conditionally sampling ensemble-averaged space-time correlation coefficients are defined as fol­
lows: in which, / , r, T, and M are a detection function, lag-time, sampling-time, and a number of
sampling, respectively. In the present study, the half-value threshold level of//'(see Figure 13) was
adopted for the detection of coherent vortex in the same manner as Nezu & Nakagawa (1993).

Cui(x0 + Ax, z„ + Az, f + T) • /(.Y,„ z„, t)dt

(«,(-% Zo'Ax, Az, r)) = -
ƒ/(** zo, 0d* (3)

=
M E M '^° + Ax' Zo + Az' h + T )

Figures 14 (a)-(d) show the conditionally averaged space-time correlation structures normalized by
turbulence intensities, e.g., («,) = {u)/u-. If the second quadrant is sampled (/2 = 1), the vortex
of correlation moves to the main-channel with comparatively low-speed (u < 0), whereas if the
fourth quadrant is sampled (/4 = 1), it moves to the flood-plain with comparatively high-speed
(u > 0), as shown in Figure 14. These correspond to low-speed flow and high-speed flow, respec­
tively, and are the major parts of coherent vortex. It is understandable that both «-component and
vv-component reflect the characteristic of coherent vortex by using this conditional space-time cor­
relation analysis. This indicates that the movement and magnitude of the correlation on a particular
condition are the key to know the interaction between the main-channel and the flood-plain.

JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC' RESEARCH, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2 203

Main Channel
Flood plain

0.0 0.17 0.33 X/B

X =-12/30(s) - 9 /30(s) - 6 /30(s) - 3 /30(s) 0 /30(s)
j — Fixed point

3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12 /30(^)

(a) («)(r) for /2= 1

Main Channel
Flood Plain

0^ 017 0.33 * / B , , ,
T =-12/30(s) - 9 /30(s) - 6 /30(s) - 3 /30(s) 0 /30(s)
f—Fixed point

_
— ".«
3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12 /30(s)

(b) (»)(T)for/4=l

Fig. 14. Conditionally sampled space-time correlations for the case C at y/H = 0.85.

204 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES. VOL. 35. 1997, NO. 2

 Main Channel
Flood Plain

.0 0.17 0.33 X/B , , ,

X =-12/30(s) - 9 /30(s) - 6 /30(s) - 3 /30(s) 0 /30(s)
I Fixer) nolnt

3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12 /30(s)

(c) (tv)(T)for/2=l
Main Channel
Flood Plain

Ö 0.17 0.33 Jt/B

C =-12/30(s) - 9 /30(s) - 6 /30(s) - 3 /30(s) 0 /30(s)
I—Fixed point

3 /30(s) 6 /30(s) 9 /30(s) 12 /30(s)

(d) (>v)(T)for/4=l

Fig. 14. Conditionally sampled space-time correlations for the case C at y/H = 0.85.

JOURNAL OF H Y D R A U L I C RESEARCH, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2 205

5 Conclusions
In this study, the structure of coherent vortices in compound open-channel flows was evaluated in
view of the interaction between the main-channel and the flood-plain by using LDA and PTV. The
time-averaged structure of secondary currents was measured with LDA. Taking account of this find­
ings, space-time correlation structures of horizontal coherent vortices were analyzed by using PTV,
and then evolutionary patterns were recognized. From these results, conceptual model of coherent
vortex in compound open-channel flow can be proposed, which explains the complicated and hydro-
dynamic interaction mechanism between the main-channel and the flood-plain, as shown in Figure 15.
The difference of streamwise velocities between the main-channel and the flood-plain generates the
high shear layer and the horizontal vortex with vertical axis. Furthermore, the anisotropy of turbulence
near the junction generates intermittent upward secondary currents. These two kinds of vortices have
close connections three-dimensionally with each other, and actual vortex motions are much more
complicated and indicate a 3-D and time-dependent structure. This coherent vortex develops as time
passes. Of urgent necessity is that the model of coherent vortex such as this figure is inspected by
computer-simulation. Coherent vortex has the evolutionary mechanism and that the time-averaged
structure reveals only one side of the phenomena. Therefore, it is further necessary to develop time-
dependent and 3-D computations such as Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and Large Eddy Simu­
lation (LES) in order to examine the coherent vortex in compound open-channel flows.

Developing

Flood

Detached
coherent
vortex
Main-Channel

Fig. 15. A new conceptual model of 3-D coherent vortices near the junction.

Acknowledgements
The present computation by 3-D ASM was conducted under a collaboration with Professor Dan
Naot at the Center for Technological Education Holon, Israel. His continuous collaboration with
the present authors until now is gratefully acknowledged.

Notations
B width of total cross section
width of flood plain
B,„ width of main channel

206 JOURNAL DE RECHERCHES HYDRAULIQUES, VOL. 35, 1997, NO. 2

B, width of variable-depth flood plain
C„„ space-time correlation coefficient between the main-channel and flood-plain
D height of flood plain above main channel bed
dil/dz velocity gradient
Ax interval in the streamwise direction
H depth of flow in main channel
H threshold level
h depth of flow in flood plain
/ detection function
4 channel slope
Lx integral eddy scale in the streamwise direction
L. integral eddy scale in the spanwise direction
M sampling-number
0 slope angle
R correlation coefficient of the lateral Reynolds stress -uw( R = ( - u w / u ' w ' )
T sampling-time
T lag-time
U, V, W components of m e a n velocity
Umean bulk mean velocity
U„, mean velocity in the main-channel
Uj mean velocity at the junction
Ut mean velocity on the flood-plain
u,v,w components of turbulence
u',v',w' components of turbulence intensity
U, averaged friction velocity
-uv vertical Reynolds stress
-uw lateral Reynolds stress
(M,) conditionally sampling ensemble-averaged space-time correlation coefficient normalized
by turbulence intensity
x,y,z coordinate directions

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