Experimental and numerical investigation of flow distribution pattern at a T-shape roadway crossing under extreme storms

Wang Feng, Zhiyu Shao, Huafeng Gong, Lei Xu, Scott A. Yost, Haiyuan Ma, Hongxiang Chai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A major drainage systemwhich uses urban roadways as flood passages during extreme storm events has been proven to be effective and low-cost. However, to date, the amount of flow diverted at a bifurcating road crossing still could not be accurately assessed. Previous studies mainly focused on diversion flat bottom channels with no turning radius. Results from these studies are not applicable to the road crossing due to the significant discrepancies between the two flow fields. In this study, the flow distribution pattern at a roadway crossing with a T-shape was studied experimentally and numerically. The three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was constructed using FLUENT. The numerical model was validated using the experimental results and showed satisfying agreements. Results of the 2k factorial design experiments show that the flow distribution ratio is sensitive to turning radius,  longitude slope,  flowrate and downstream boundary conditions. Detailed numerical studies were conducted to reveal the relationship between the flow distribution ratio and the individual impacting factor. Findings from this research could provide more accurate flowrate predictions  to  guide the design of the road crossings to improve the performance of the major drainage system during extreme storms.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2285-2299
Number of pages15
JournalEngineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • CFD
  • extreme storms
  • major drainage system
  • road crossing
  • urban flooding

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Computer Science
  • Modeling and Simulation

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