The modified QUICK scheme on unstructured grid was used to improve the advection flux approximation, and the depth-averaged κ-ε turbulence model with the scheme based on FVM by SIMPLE series algorithm was established and applied to spur-dike flow computation. In this model, the over-relaxed approach was adopted to estimate the diffusion flux in view of its advantages in reducing errors and sustaining numerical stability usually encountered in non-orthogonal meshes. Two spur-dike cases with different defection angles （90°and 135°） were analyzed to validate the model. Computed results show that the predicted velocities and recirculation lengths are in good agreement with the observed data. Moreover, the computations on structured and unstructured grids were compared in terms of the approximately equivalent grid numbers. It can be concluded that the precision with unstructured grids is higher than that with structured grids in spite that the CPU time required is slightly more with unstructured grids Thus, it is significant to apply the method to numerical simulation of practical hydraulic engineering.
The braided river is a typical river pattern in nature, but there is a paucity of comprehensive data set describing the three-dimensional flow field in the braided river. A physical model experiment was used to study the flow characteristics in the typical braided river with a mid-bar between two anabranches. In the experiment, two kinds of mid-bar with the ratios of its length to maximal width of 3 and 5 were considered. Moreover, the mid-bar could be moved to adjust the width of two anabranches. The detailed measurements of velocity were conducted using an acoustic Doppler velocimeter over a grid defined throughout the whole braided river region, including the bifurcation, two anabranches and the confluence. In two kinds of mid-bar braided models, a separation zone was observed in the anabranch of the model in which the ratio of length to maximal width of mid-bar is 3, however the separation zone was not found in another model in which the ratio is 5. In addition, the opposite secondary cells were observed at the bend apex of anabranch in two models, and different longitudinal velocity distributions in the entrance region of anabranch account for this opposite flow structure. Finally, turbulent kinetic energy were shown and compared in different situations. The high turbulence occurs at the place with strong shear, especially at the boundary of the separation zone and the high velocity passing flow.
