Revelation of the interactions between bedload and turbulent flow in open channels using a LES-DEM coupled model

Abstract:

Bedload transport is an important transport mode for sediment, which has great influence on the erosion and deposition near channel bed. To fully understand the mechanism of bedload transport, it is critical to know the motion characteristics and the interaction between bedload particles and turbulent structures. However, the motion of bedload particles can rarely be measured accurately because of experimental difficulties. In this work, a model of bedload transport in open channel flows is built by combining large eddy simulation (LES) with discrete element model (DEM) using a momentum coupling method. For the particles, a four-way coupling approach is utilized. Numerical experiments are conducted and post processed by statistic and quadrant threshold analysis. The characteristics of the kinematics and dynamics of the bedload particles are of particular interest during the analysis. The particle trajectory, velocity distribution and force condition are processed for further analysis. The model is validated by flow field and bedload transport rate data. The model produces an exponential form of the velocity statistics, which have been confirmed by experiments in the literature. The quadrant analysis also reveals rich information about the interaction between the particle and the flow. Among many things, it is found that the ejection events are influenced more than the sweep event. It is because the sweep event is more controlled by the outer flow. The size of the near wall coherent structure is smaller and their occurrence is less frequent when the particles are in motion.