Influences of Flow Discharge Processes on Morphological Evolutions in an Experimental Channel: A 3-D Numerical Study

The discharge process influences the morphological evolutions of alluvial rivers, even the channel pattern evolutions. The impacts of discharge processes on morphological evolutions in an experimental channel were investigated by a 3-D mathematical model, in which turbulence flow and sediment transport as well as bank erosion were modeling. The simulated results demonstrated that the discharge process had significant effects on morphological changes. Planfrom evolution in the period with large discharge was much more notable than that with small discharge. Different discharge processes may lead to different channel patterns. A single meandering channel was formed under steady flow condition. A braided channel was observed with unsteady flow condition.