Software Tools for the Changing Environment
Author: Alexander Mann (MEDOT)
Numerous Hydraulic tests have been conducted over the last Century to solve particular problems or develop general relationships. CFD offers a unique opportunity to combine and adapt this information into new revised configurations. Physical model results of individual culvert sections or configurations can be used to validate the CFD results of similar configurations. These sections can be combined into CFD composite models that are more robust.
The Bureau of Public Roads through the University of Iowa conducted numerous tests on culverts, and inlet and outlet geometries. Some of these results were summarized and published in a book called “The Flow of Water Through Culverts” in 1926. The data they presented regarding outlet diffusers effect on increasing culvert capacity provides an excellent test case. Utilizing this data to compare Performance Curves, Hydraulic and Energy Grade Lines, is an effective way to validate the CFD model. Other new insights can be gained from the CFD images and available CFD model data. Using CFD flow line Pressure, Velocity and Location values to create Hydraulic and Energy Grade Lines has proved to be straight forward and an effective. By comparing physical hydraulic test data with the CFD model data the advantages of each method can be utilized to produce a model that is both adaptable and available for particular design problems.
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How to Cite: Mann, A. (2014) “The Calibration Comparison and Analysis of CFD Models”, National Hydraulic Engineering Conference 2014. 1(2014).