Large eddy simulation of sediment-laden turbulent flow in an open channel

Sediment transport in fully developed turbulent open channel flow has been investigated using large eddy simulation (LES) of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The scalar transport equation of the sediments concentration, which is based on the continuous-phase approach, is adopted. The settling process is taken into account with a modified settling velocity appearing in the sediment concentration equation. A Smagorinsky model allowing for the interaction between the fluid flow and the suspended sediment is used to simulate the unresolved, subgrid scale terms. The LES results are compared with the experimental data, and good general agreement is achieved.