Segment V7.6: River Flow Model

(Related to Textbook Section 7.9.3 - Flow with a Free Surface)

To maintain exact similarity between model and prototype flows in a wind tunnel, the model and prototype Reynolds numbers must be equal. This is usually not possible to achieve. Fortunately, flow characteristics are often not strongly influenced by the Reynolds number over the range of interest.

The unwanted collection of debris against bridge piers or at pipe inlets in rivers can cause consider-able damage. Appropriate information obtained from carefully conducted model experiments can be used in the design of such structures to reduce the problems involved. (Video courtesy of the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station.)