Abstract

<jats:p>A two-dimensional mathematical model is described for the calculation of the depth-averaged velocity and temperature or concentration distribution in open-channel flows, an essential feature of the model being its ability to handle recirculation zones. The model employs the depth-averaged continuity, momentum and temperature/concentration equations, which are solved by an efficient finite-difference procedure. The ‘rigid lid’ approximation is used to treat the free surface. The turbulent stresses and heat or concentration fluxes are determined from a depth-averaged version of the so-called<jats:italic>k</jats:italic>, ε turbulence model which characterizes the local state of turbulence by the turbulence kinetic energy<jats:italic>k</jats:italic>and the rate of its dissipation ε. Differential transport equations are solved for<jats:italic>k</jats:italic>and ε to determine these two quantities. The bottom shear stress and turbulence production are accounted for by source/sink terms in the relevant equations. The model is applied to the problem of a side discharge into open-channel flow, where a recirculation zone develops downstream of the discharge. Predicted size of the recirculation zone, jet trajectories, dilution, and isotherms are compared with experiments for a wide range of discharge to channel velocity ratios; the agreement is generally good. An assessment of the numerical accuracy shows that the predictions are not influenced significantly by numerical diffusion.</jats:p>