Pablo Tassi

Effect of Sediment Transport Boundary Conditions on the Numerical Modeling of Bed Morphodynamics

AbstractExperimental sediment transport and river morphologic studies in laboratory flumes can use two sediment-supply methods: an imposed feed at the upstream end, or a recirculation of sediment f...

Numerical Modelling of Two-Dimensional Flow Patterns in Shallow Rectangular Basins

The present work focuses on the two-dimensional (2D) depth-averaged turbulent flow in shallow rectangular basins. An accurate description of the hydrodynamics is required for further understanding the complex sediment transport processes. This work has practical engineering implication in relation to the rate of sediment deposited in reservoirs. The capability of the open-source TELEMAC modelling system to predict symmetric and non-symmetric recirculation flow patterns is analyzed by comparison with experimental results performed by Kantoush [4] for different geometry parameters and flow conditions. Numerical results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreement with experiments (regarding the number of recirculation cells and intensity of flow velocity) in symmetric and asymmetric situations. Furthermore, the influence of the mesh size, turbulence closure, and friction coefficients is also analyzed. Numerical results show good agreement in predicting 2D symmetric and non-symmetric flow patterns in laboratory conditions.

Numerical modelling of the catastrophic flooding of Santa Fe City, Argentina

Abstract The large plain in the lower basin of the Salado River in west‐central Santa Fe State, Argentina, sustains a prolific agricultural activity vital for the local economy. In April‐May of 2003, the region suffered the most devastating flood on record for the Salado River, triggered by heavy rains in its lower basin. The west side of the State Capital, Santa Fe City, located at the mouth of the Salado River, was suddenly flooded when a protective levee failed. People living in the floodplains near the city, accustomed to coping with floods characterized by slowly rising water, faced a sudden increase up to 4 m of water in a matter of hours. During the flooding of one third of the city, nearly 120,000 people were suddenly displaced from their homes, 23 people died as a direct result of the flood, and other 43 are believed to have died from post‐traumatic distress. This work presents a numerical reconstruction of the event, emphasizing the chain of miss‐management decisions made over the years that have a share in the worst environmental disaster of Argentinas recent history.