1-D coupled non-equilibrium sediment transport modeling for unsteady flows in the discontinuous Galerkin framework

A high-resolution, 1-D numerical model has been developed in the discontinuous Galerkin framework to simulate 1-D flow behavior, sediment transport, and morphological evaluation under unsteady flow conditions. The flow and sediment concentration variables are computed based on the one-dimensional shallow water flow equations, while empirical equations are used for entrainment and deposition processes. The sediment transport model includes the bed load and suspended load components. New formulations for Harten-Lax-van Leer (HLL) and Harten-Lax-van Contact (HLLC) are presented for shallow water flow equations that include the bed load and suspended load fluxes. The computational results for the flow and morphological changes after two dam break events are compared with the physical model tests. Results show that the modified HLL and HLLC formulations are robust and can accurately predict morphological changes in highly unsteady flows.