The flow characteristics upstream and downstream of sluice gates are studied experimentally and numerically using Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes two-dimensional simulations with a volume of fluid method. Special attention was brought to large opening and submergence, a frequent situation in distribution canals that is little seldom addressed in the literature. Experimental results obtained by ADV measurements provide mean velocity distributions and turbulence characteristics. The flow is shown to be mostly two-dimensional. Velocity fields were simulated using renormalization group k-epsilon and Reynolds stress model turbulence models, leading to an estimation of energy and momentum correction coefficients, head loss, and bed friction. The contraction coefficient is also shown to increase with gate opening at large submergence, which is consistent with the energy-momentum balance. This result can be used to derive accurate discharge equations.

The contraction coefficient under sluice gates on flat beds is studied for both free flow and submerged conditions based on the principle of momentum conservation, relying on an analytical determination of the pressure force exerted on the upstream face of the gate together with the energy equation. The contraction coefficient varies with the relative gate opening and the relative submergence, especially at large gate openings. The contraction coefficient may be similar in submerged flow and free flow at small openings but not at large openings, as shown by some experimental results. An application to discharge measurement is also presented.

International audienceThe mean flow in a nature-like fishpass can be highly modified by the Froude number. It is important to understand this evolution to correctly design the structure. The studied configuration is an emergent staggered arrangement of obstacles. The hydraulic resistance of a fishpass is experimentally investigated that depends on several geometric parameters: block shape, ramp slope, block density, and bed roughness. An analytical model based on the balance momentum allows one to quantify the influence of each hydraulic parameter. The bed roughness has a weak influence, whereas the block shape and the Froude number are significant. The variation of the drag coefficient was analyzed to improve the stage-discharge relationship. To this end, a correlation with the block diameter and water level is proposed. The maximal velocity reached in the fishpass can also be estimated. These results have to be compared with the fish swimming ability to assess the fishpass passability

Knowledge and management of aquatic ecosystems (formerly Bulletin Français de la Pèche et de la Pisciculture), an international journal on freshwater ecosystem