Distribution of turbulent fluctuations in a natural river


Bhowmik, N. G., B. S. Mazumder, R. Xia, and T. W. Soong. 
1995. Distribution of turbulent velocity fluctuations in a
natural river.  Journal of Hydraulic Research 33(5):649-661. 
Reprinted by U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Management
Technical Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin, December 1996.  LTRMP
96-R012. 13 pp.  (NTIS #PB97-135495)


ABSTRACT

Turbulent characteristics of flow velocity in a natural river
were systematically analyzed in this study. Flow velocities
were measured with time at six different lateral locations and
at three different vertical elevations on a major navigable
waterway in the United States.  Analyses of the velocity data
include the cross-sectional and vertical distributions of
longitudinal and transverse velocity components (u, v), the
fluctuating velocity components (u1, v1) and their
frequency-distribution curves, turbulent intensities (åx'åy),
and turbulent shear stress (scientific formula not
reproduced). These analyses have shown that the strongest
velocity fluctuation occurs near the main channel area above
the river bed.


KEYWORDS

Illinois River, Mississippi River, turbulence, turbulent shear
stress, velocity