The predictive capability of Reynolds-averaged numerical simulation （RANS） models is investigated by simulating the flow in meandering open channel flumes and comparing the obtained results with the measured data. The flow structures of the two experiments are much different in order to get better insights. Two eddy viscosity turbulence models and different wall treatment methods are tested. Comparisons show that no essential difference exists among the predictions. The difference of turbulence models has a limited effect, and the near wall refinement improves the predictions slightly. Results show that, while the longitudinal velo- cities are generally well predicted, the predictive capability of the secondary flow is largely determined by the complexity of the flow structure. In Case 1 of a simple flow structure, the secondary flow velocity is reasonably predicted. In Case 2, consisting of sharp curved consecutive reverse bends, the flow structure becomes complex after the first bend, and the complex flow structure leads to the poor prediction of the secondary flow. The analysis shows that the high level of turbulence anisotropy is related with the boundary layer separation, but not with the flow structure complexity in the central area which definitely causes the poor prediction of RANS models. The turbulence model modifications and the wall treatment methods barely improve the predictive capability of RANS models in simulating complex flow structures.
A two-dimensional coastal ocean model based on unstructured C-grid is built, in which the momentum equation is discretized on the faces of each cell, and the continuity equation is discretized on the cell. The model is discretized by semi-implicit finite volume method, in that the free surface is semi-implicit and the bottom friction is implicit, thereby removing stability limitations associated with the surface gravity wave and friction. The remaining terms in the momentum equations are discretized explicitly by integral finite volume method and second-order Adams-Bashforth method. Tidal flow in the polar quadrant with known analytic solution is employed to test the proposed model. Finally, the performance of the present model to simulate tidal flow in a geometrically complex domain is examined by simulation of tidal currents in the Pearl River Estuary.
