Flow characteristics in open channel with submerged flexible vegetation

Abstract

Influence of submerged flexible vegetation on various flow characteristics such as the flow velocity, turbulence intensity and turbulent kinetic energy was experimentally analyzed in an open channel system. Artificial plants we reused to mimic the natural vegetation. Flow characteristics was measured at six different locations along the centerline of vegetation area. It was found that the maximum value of turbulence intensities and turbulent kinetic energy was located at two location;one at the intersection of sheath and canopy layer and another at the inter section of canopy and free water layer.The stablized profile of vertical stream-wise velocity looks like a ‘S’ shape with the minimum value located at the canopy area where the frontal width was maximum and the maximum value located at the free water layer.