Cristian Escauriaza

On the bimodal dynamics of the turbulent horseshoe vortex system in a wing-body junction

The turbulent boundary layer approaching a wall-mounted obstacle experiences a strong adverse pressure gradient and undergoes three-dimensional separation leading to the formation of a dynamically rich horseshoe vortex (HSV) system. In a pioneering experimental study, Devenport and Simpson [J. Fluid Mech. 210, 23 (1990)] showed that the HSV system forming at the leading edge region of a wing mounted on a flat plate at Re=1.15×105 exhibits bimodal, low-frequency oscillations, which away from the wall produce turbulent energy and stresses one order of magnitude higher than those produced by the conventional shear mechanism in the approaching turbulent boundary layer. We carry out numerical simulations for the experimental configuration of Devenport and Simpson using the detached-eddy-simulation (DES) approach. The DES length scale is adjusted for this flow to alleviate the well known shortcoming of DES; namely that of premature, laminar-like flow separation. The numerical simulations reproduce with good acc...

Lagrangian model of bed-load transport in turbulent junction flows

Motivated by the need to gain fundamental insights into the mechanisms of bed-load sediment transport in turbulent junction flows, we carry out a computational study of Lagrangian dynamics of inertial particles initially placed on the bed upstream of a surface-mounted circular cylinder in a rectangular open channel (Dargahi, J. Hydraul. Engng , vol. 116, 1990, pp. 1197–1214). The flow field at Re = 39000 is simulated using the detached eddy simulation (DES) approach (Spalart et al ., In Advances in DNS/LES , ed. C. Liu & Z. Liu, 1997, Greyden), which has already been shown to accurately resolve most of the turbulent stresses produced by the low-frequency, bimodal fluctuations of the turbulent horseshoe vortex (Paik et al ., J. Hydraul. Engng , vol. 131, 1990, pp. 441–456; Escauriaza & Sotiropoulos, Flow Turbul. Combust ., 2010, in press). The trajectory and momentum equations for the sediment particles are integrated numerically simultaneously with the flow governing equations assuming one-way coupling and neglecting particle-to-particle interactions (dilute flow) but taking into account bed–particle interactions and the effects of the instantaneous hydrodynamic forces induced by the resolved fluctuations of the coherent vortical structures. The computed results show that, in accordance with the simulated clear-water scour condition (i.e. the magnitude of the particle stresses is near the threshold of motion), the transport of sediment grains is highly intermittent and exhibits essentially all the characteristics of bed-load sediment transport observed in laboratory and field experiments. Groups of sediment grains are dislodged from the bed simultaneously in seemingly random bursting events and begin to move, saltating or sliding along the bed. Furthermore, particles that are not entrained into the bed-load layer are found to form streaks aligned with near-wall vortices around the cylinder. The global transport of particles is studied by performing a statistical analysis of the bed-load flux to reveal scale-invariance of the process and multifractality of particle transport as the overall effect of the coherent structures of the flow. A major finding of this work is that a relatively simple Lagrangian model coupled with a coherent-structure resolving simulation of the turbulent flow is able to reproduce the sediment dynamics observed in multiple experiments performed under similar conditions, and provide fundamental information on the initiation of motion and the multifractal nature of bed-load transport processes. The results also motivate the development of new Eulerian bed-load transport models that consider unsteady conditions and incorporate the intermittency of the unresolved scales of sediment motion.

Coherent Structure Dynamics in Turbulent Flows Past In-Stream Structures: Some Insights Gained via Numerical Simulation

Large-scale coherent vortical structures in natural streams and rivers dominate flow and transport processes and impact the stability of stream banks, the diversity and abundance of organisms, and the quality of running waters in aquatic ecosystems. Thus, understanding and being able to model the dynamics of energetic coherent structures in such flows at ecologically relevant scales are crucial prerequisites for developing a science-based ecosystem restoration framework. We review recent progress toward the development of coherent-structure-resolving (CSR) computational fluid dynamics techniques, based on hybrid URANS/LES modeling strategies, for simulating turbulent flows in open-channels with hydraulic structures. CSR simulations of the turbulent horseshoe vortex (THSV) past bed-mounted piers explained the physical mechanism leading to the experimentally documented bimodal velocity fluctuations of the vortex and underscored the importance of the Reynolds number as a key parameter governing the THSV dynamics. Simulations of high Reynolds number flows past surface-piercing, groynelike structures in open channels revealed the complexity of the recirculating region at the upstream face of the groyne, underscored the interaction of the flow in this region with the energetic shear layer shed from the point of separation at the upstream side wall, and demonstrated the importance of flow depth in the vorticity dynamics of such flows. The paper also identifies areas for future work and modeling challenges that need to be addressed for the computational tools to be able to accurately predict flow and transport processes in real-life aquatic environments.

Natural attenuation process via microbial oxidation of arsenic in a high Andean watershed

Rivers in northern Chile have arsenic (As) concentrations at levels that are toxic for humans and other organisms. Microorganism-mediated redox reactions have a crucial role in the As cycle; the microbial oxidation of As (As(III) to As(V)) is a critical transformation because it favors the immobilization of As in the solid phase. We studied the role of microbial As oxidation for controlling the mobility of As in the extreme environment found in the Chilean Altiplano (i.e., > 4000 meters above sea level (masl) and < 310 mm annual rainfall), which are conditions that have rarely been studied. Our model system was the upper Azufre River sub-basin, where the natural attenuation of As from hydrothermal discharge (pH 4-6) was observed. As(III) was actively oxidized by a microbial consortium, leading to a significant decrease in the dissolved As concentrations and a corresponding increase in the sediments As concentration downstream of the hydrothermal source. In-situ oxidation experiments demonstrated that the As oxidation required biological activity, and microbiological molecular analysis confirmed the presence of As(III)-oxidizing groups (aroA-like genes) in the system. In addition, the pH measurements and solid phase analysis strongly suggested that the As removal mechanism involved adsorption or coprecipitation with Fe-oxyhydroxides. Taken together, these results indicate that the microorganism-mediated As oxidation contributed to the attenuation of As concentrations and the stabilization of As in the solid phase, therefore controlling the amount of As transported downstream. This study is the first to demonstrate the microbial oxidation of As in Altiplano basins and its relevance in the immobilization of As.

Coherent Structure Dynamics and Sediment Particle Motion Around a Cylindrical Pier in Developing Scour Holes

Recent investigations on the dynamics of the turbulent horseshoe vortex system (THV) around cylindrical piers have shown that the rich coherent dynamics of the vortical structures is dominated by low-frequency bimodal fluctuations of the velocity field. In spite of these advances, many questions remain regarding the changes of the flow and sediment transport dynamics as scour progresses. In this investigation we carry out laboratory experiments to register the development of the scour hole around a cylindrical pier in a fine-sand bed (d50 = 0.36 mm). We use the bathymetry measured in the experiment to simulate the flow field employing the detached-eddy simulation approach (DES), which has shown to resolve most of the turbulent stresses around surface-mounted obstacles. From these simulations we compare the dynamics of the THV to the flat-bed case, and analyze the effects on particle transport and sediment flux using the Lagrangian particle model of Escauriaza and Sotiropoulos (2011b) to study the impact of the changes of the flow on the sediment dynamics.

A model of bridge pier scour during flood waves

ABSTRACT The time-dependent bridge pier scour during flood waves is analysed. Scour experiments were conducted in a novel installation able to produce complex hydrographs with high precision. Experimental data were used to test scour formulas including a new mathematical model. Results confirm the reliability and superior performance of the proposed dimensionless, effective flow work based model under steady and unsteady hydraulic conditions. Analyses highlight the impact of different hydrographs on scour, demonstrating the strong control by the hydrograph shape of the temporal evolution of scour depth and scour rate, although final scour after a flood only depends on the total effective flow work exerted by the hydrograph on the sediment bed. Hysteresis between flow discharge and scour rate is reported and explained. Flow acceleration is shown to play a minor role in scouring. The proposed model is a promising alternative for computation of local scour under highly unsteady hydraulic conditions.

Coherent turbulent structures at the mixing-interface of a square open-channel lateral cavity

The self-sustained turbulent shear or mixing layer that develops at the interface between a channel and a lateral cavity is the leading mechanism that drives the transfer of momentum and mass in these open-channel flows. Therefore, quantifying the interactions between large-scale vortical structures and the enhanced velocity fluctuations at the interface is critical to understand the physical processes which control the exchanges between the cavity and the main channel. In this investigation, we carry out hydrodynamic experiments in a straight, rectangular channel with a lateral square cavity. We measure the velocity field in a horizontal plane using particle image velocimetry to study the dynamics and statistics of the mixing layer, including the effects of the adverse pressure gradient at the downstream corner. By combining proper-orthogonal decomposition with a vortex identification technique, we investigate the motion of coherent structures and calculate the histograms of their trajectories, capturing also additional phenomena such as the vortex splitting, and the interaction of the mixing layer with inner vortices formed inside the cavity. We finally quantify the mass transport capacity of the mixing layer, from the statistics of the transverse velocity at the interface.

Potential accumulation of contaminated sediments in a reservoir of a high-Andean watershed: Morphodynamic connections with geochemical processes†

Rapid changes due to anthropic interventions in high-altitude environments, such as the Altiplano region in South America, require new approaches to understand the connections between physical and geochemical processes. Alterations of the water quality linked to the river morphology can affect the ecosystems and human development in the long term. The future construction of a reservoir in the Lluta River, located in northern Chile, will change the spatial distribution of arsenic-rich sediments, which can have significant effects on the lower parts of the watershed. In this investigation, we develop a coupled numerical model to predict and evaluate the interactions between morphodynamic changes in the Lluta reservoir, and conditions that can potentially desorb arsenic from the sediments. Assuming that contaminants are mobilized under anaerobic conditions, we calculate the oxygen concentration within the sediments to study the interactions of the delta progradation with the potential arsenic release. This work provides a framework for future studies aimed to analyze the complex connections between morphodynamics and water quality, when contaminant-rich sediments accumulate in a reservoir. The tool can also help to design effective risk management and remediation strategies in these extreme environments.

Trapping and sedimentation of inertial particles in three-dimensional flows in a cylindrical container with exactly counter-rotating lids

Stirring and sedimentation of solid inertial particles in low-Reynolds-number flows has acquired great relevance in multiple environmental, industrial and microfluidic systems, but few detailed numerical studies have focused on chaotically advected experimentally realizable flows. We carry out one-way coupling simulations to study the dynamics of inertial particles in the steady three-dimensional flow in a cylindrical container with exactly counter-rotating lids, which was recently studied by Lackey & Sotiropoulos (Phys. Fluids, vol. 18, 2006, paper no. 053601). We elucidate the rich Lagrangian dynamics of the flow in the vicinity of toroidal invariant regions and show that depending on the Stokes number inertial particles could get trapped for long times in different equilibrium positions inside integrable islands. In the chaotically advected region of the flow the balance between inertia and gravity forces (represented by the settling velocity) can produce a striking fractal sedimentation regime, characterized by a sequence of discrete deposition events of seemingly random number of particles separated by hiatuses of random duration. The resulting staircase-like distribution of the time series of the number of particles in suspension is shown to be a devil’s staircase whose fractal dimension is equal to the 0.87 value found in multiple dissipative dynamical systems in nature. Our work sheds new light on the complex mechanisms governing the stirring and deposition of inertial particles and provides new information about the parameters that are relevant in the characterization of particle dynamics in different regions of chaotically advected flows.

Measurement of mass exchange processes and coefficients in a simplified open-channel lateral cavity connected to a main stream

Lateral cavities are major storage zones in riverine environments for which the mass exchanges with the main stream strongly impact the characteristics of the habitat in these dead zones. An experimental work is presented here with a controlled main stream and a connected open-channel lateral cavity to assess the processes responsible for these exchanges and to quantify the exchange capacities. In a first step, the measurements of passive scalar transport allow us to identify the physical processes involved in the exchange of mass from the main stream and its spreading within the cavity. In a second step, the quantitative mass exchange coefficient, representative of the exchange capacity, is measured for 28 flow and cavity configurations. The sensibility analysis to the governing parameters proposed by the dimensional analysis then reveals that changing the geometric aspect ratio of the cavity does not affect the exchange coefficient while increasing the normalized water depth or decreasing the Reynolds number of the main stream tend to increase this coefficient. Indeed, these parameters modify both the growth rate of the mixing layer width at the interface and the amplitude of the alternating transverse velocity across the interface, thus affecting the exchange capacities from the main stream to the cavity.