Numerical simulation of skimming flow over mild stepped channel*

Numerical simulation of stepped channel flow was conducted using turbulence models based on the VOF technique. Stepped channel flow is a complicated air-water two-phase flow with free surface, which can be divided into three flow regimes: skimming flow, nappe flow and transition flow. The characteristics of skimming flow over mild stepped channel was investigated, including friction factors, air concentration profiles velocity field, clear-water and bulked depths, static pressure, etc. Smooth channel flow was also simulated to compare the hydraulic characteristics of the stepped channel flow with the smooth one. Comparisons between the computed and the measured were made. Furthermore, comparison of the computed air concentration with Straub and Anderson's data was also performed. The Fluent 6.1 software was employed to conduct this numerical simulation work.