Simulation of suspension gravity currents with different initial aspect ratio and layout of turbidity fence

A three-dimensional (3D) numerical model, using large eddy simulation (LES), is developed for simulating the motion of suspension gravity currents. The suitable values of model parameters are determined using the existing experimental data of a two-dimensional (2D) suspension (a mixture composed of water and glass bead particles) cloud. The simulated gravity current with different initial aspect ratio (length/breadth) of the suspension is compared with the reported data of 3D laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of initial aspect ratio on the flow characteristics and the diffusion of turbidity under the presence of a turbidity fence. The comparison of simulated results of such main flow characteristics as front height, front propagation velocity and particle deposition with the experimental data reveals that the model is capable of simulating the complex behavior of the 3D suspension gravity currents to a reasonably good accuracy under complex conditions.