Supercritical flow at an abrupt drop: flow patterns and aeration
Stepped waterways and cascades are common features of storm waterways, at dam outlets, and in water treatment plants. At an abrupt drop, open channel flows are characterized by the presence of shock waves and a substantial flow aeration. There is, however, little information on the basic flow characteristics. The study presents new experimental data obtained in a 0.5-m-wide stepped flume with an unventilated nappe. The investigations describe the three-dimensional flow patterns, including shock waves, standing waves, and spray, downstream of the nappe impact. The characteristics of the flow patterns are similar to those observed with abrupt expansion supercritical flows. Downstream of the drop brink, substantial aeration takes place along the nappe interfaces and the flow downstream of the impact is deaerated.Key words: abrupt drop, supercritical flow, shock waves, flow patterns, cascade.