The Turbulent Boundary Layer in Changing Flows and its Effect on Flooding

1
The Turbulent Boundary Layer in Changing Flows
and its Effect on Flooding
Hunter Ploch Mentor Lindsay Gary Advisor Steve
Mclean Ocean Engineering Lab
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Boundary Layer

• A boundary layer is the layer of water in
  immediate proximity of the sediment bed that
  experiences negative frictional force

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The Motivation
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Increased Understanding

• Ecologists gain better insight for modeling
• Field data more accurately understood
• Flood impact prediction
• Navigation made safer

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Goal

• To study characteristics of changing flow
  conditions
• By utilizing our tools and computer programs, we
  can form conclusions about changing fluid
  conditions to better understand flooding

The Flume
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The System

• For a specific flow setting, the gate and pump
  must be at their respective settings
• Once settings are established, data collection
  can begin

The Gate
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Acoustic Doppler Profiler

• Records the waters velocity along four beams
• A computer program converts the data along each
  beam to average velocity and fluctuations

An illustration of the actual ADP
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Data
High Flow
Average Velocity
Turbulent Fluctuations
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Data
Transition
Average Velocity
Turbulent Fluctuations
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Data
Low Flow
Average Velocity
Turbulent Fluctuations
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Analysis

• Each graph is a snapshot of boundary layer over a
  specific part of a dune
• During the high flow and low flow equilibriums,
  there was a large amount of fluctuations in water
  flow

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Future Plans

• To find a connection between fluid behavior and
  bed formation
• More transitions are planned to be tested.
• To correlate different boundary layers with
  specific parts of dunes

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Reflections

• Patience and tolerance are extremely important
  qualities for scientists
• Dedication and persistency will make your efforts
  worth while
• Murphys law is very real

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Acknowledgements

• Lindsay Gary-Mentor
• Steve Mclean-Advisor
• Department of Mechanical Engineering and Marine
  Science
• Erik Holliday-Partner
• Lubi Lenaburg-Program Coordinator
• Mrs. Woods and Mrs. Park-Teachers

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The Turbulent Boundary Layer in Changing Flows
and its Effect on Flooding
Hunter Ploch Mentor Lindsay Gary Advisor Steve
Mcleen Ocean Engineering Lab