Momentum Transfer In A Compound Channel

Abstract

A Preston tube was used to measure shear stress distributions around the periphery of a complex channel, consisting of a deep section and one flood plain. Measurements were made with full cross-section flow and with flow confined to the deep, or channel, section. The results were used to quantify the momentum transfer due to interaction between the channel flow and that over its flood plain, demonstrating the danger of neglecting this phenomenon in complex channel analysis. Lateral momentum transfer throughout the channel and flood plain was compared under isolated and interacting conditions.