To predict the effects of flood discharge atomization, a prediction method that combines physical and mathematical models is proposed. First, based on the physical modelling, splashing tests, and prototype observations we conclude that the large-scale physical models can be used to simulate the atomization when the Weber number is larger than 600. Then, based on the feedback analysis of model results and prototype data, a mathematical model is formulated. The model consists of the differential equations of the jet flow in air and accounts for the splashing of water drops as a result of the jet impact at the downstream water surface. The applicability of the proposed mathematical model is demonstrated by the verification analysis of the Ertan hydropower station. The prediction method that combines the large-scale physical model with the mathematical model is then used to quantify the atomization rainfall intensity and coverage area on the Baihetan hydropower station.

The studies currently on soft galloping (SG) and hard galloping (HG) are scarce. In this study, SG and HG of spring-mounted triangular prisms in a water channel are investigated experimentally. A power take-off system (PTO), a spring system, additional weights, and different triangular prisms were used to achieve the variations in damping coefficient c, system stiffness K, oscillation mass m and section aspect ratios α, respectively. The present paper proves that the VIV (vortex-induced vibration) lower branch can be observed in the SG response. In SG response, VIV branches are incomplete while the galloping branch is complete, and galloping can be self-initiated only in the self-excited region. On the contrary, in HG response, VIV branches are complete, the galloping branch is incomplete, and galloping can only be initiated by external excitation at a velocity exceeding the critical velocity. As c and m increase, or K and α decrease, the oscillation mode of a triangular prism gradually transitions from SG to CG (critical galloping), and continues to HG. The amplitude in VIV branch is the main reason causing the onset of galloping in SG response. A critical damping coefficient c_c, which is dependent on m, K and α, is proposed to predict the occurrences of SG, CG and HG. When c < c_c, SG occurs; when c > c_c, HG occurs; when c = c_c, CG occurs.

The flow induced vibration and energy extraction of an equilateral triangle prism elastically mounted in a water channel are investigated experimentally at different system damping ratios ζ_total with the constant oscillating mass M_osc and system stiffness K. A power take-off system with a variable damping function is developed. The translation-rotation equation of the vibration system deduced in the study indicates that the total oscillating mass includes the material mass, and the equivalent mass due to the rotation of the gears and rotor. Besides, increasing load resistance can result in a decrease in ζ_total when K and M_osc remain unchanged. The prism experiences, in turn, soft galloping, hard galloping 1 and hard galloping 2 with increasing ζ_total. As ζ_total increases up to 0.335, only the vortex-induced vibration is observed because the extremely high ζ_total prevents the prism from galloping. The response amplitude decreases with the increasing ζ_total. In addition, higher ζ_total promotes the galloping to start at a higher reduced velocity. The galloping characteristics of the prism, including large amplitude responses in an extremely large range of flow velocities, excellent vibration stationarity, and steady vibration frequencies, are beneficial for improving energy conversion. The prism can extract hydraulic energy for the flow velocity U > 0.610 m/s. The harnessed power P_out and the energy conversion efficiency η_out increase with increasing ζ_total in the galloping zone. The maximum P_out and η_out reach 53.56 W and 40.44%, respectively. The optimal system damping ratio for extracting energy is the maximum system damping ratio that the prism can overcome to experience stable galloping.

Super typhoon activity is likely to make the electric power network fail, or blow the wind-measuring device off, which all lead to the yaw control system of wind turbine being inactive. Under this condition, blades can be blown by the violent side wind from unfavorable directions, and the aerodynamic loads on the wind turbine will be increased by a large amount, which can lead to low-cycle fatigue damage and other catastrophic collapses. So far, not enough consideration has been given to the above problems in wind turbine design. Using the transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD), this study investigates the wind load characteristics of offshore wind turbines under typhoon condition with 360-degree full wind directions. Two primary influence factors of the aerodynamic characteristics of wind turbines are clarified: variation of the wind direction and different parking positions of the wind rotor. Using 3D-numerical simulation results, this study provides detailed references for the ultimate strength and fatigue life in wind turbine design, and presents the best parking position of the wind turbine with a free yawing strategy.

The energy in flow induced motion (FIM) was harnessed in recent years. In this study, the energy transfer ratio was derived to estimate the energy transference from the flow to the FIM. Then the FIM characteristics and energy transference of cylinders with different cross sections were experimentally investigated. The main findings are listed as follows. (a) Circular cylinders and diamond prisms both present a self-limited motion. The maximum amplitude ratio of circular cylinder is around 1~1.2 which is higher than that of diamond prism (0.4~0.5). (b) Triangle prisms and right square prisms present a self-unlimited motion. For triangle prism, amplitude ratio increases over 1.8; for right square prisms, amplitude ratio reaches 1.2. (c) The maximum transfer ratios of circular cylinder and triangle prism are 80% and 57%, respectively, which are much higher than those of other prisms, indicating that circular cylinder and triangle prism have better performances in energy transference. (d) The transfer ratio is strongly dependent on the damping and mass; higher damping or mass will promote a higher transfer ratio. (e) Beyond the critical transfer ratios, amplitude variation coefficients are around 10%~30% resulting in a better performance in stationarity.