Formation process of meandering channel by a 2D numerical simulation

A 2D depth-averaged model for hydrodynamic, sediment transport and river morphological adjustment is presented. The sediment transport submodel considers non-uniform sediment, bed surface armoring, impact of secondary flow on the direction of bed-load transport, and transverse slope of river bed. The bank erosion submodel incorporates a simple simulation method for updating bank geometry during either degradational or aggradational bed evolution. The model is applied to a 180° bend with a constant radius under unsteady flow conditions, and to Friedkin's laboratory meander channels. The results are in acceptable agreement with measurements, confirming the two dimensional model's potential in predicting the formation of river meandering and improving understanding of patterning processes. Future researches are needed to clarify some simplifications and limitations of the model.