A Three-Dimensional Finite Volume Model for Shallow Water Flow Simulation

A three-dimensional cell-centred boundary-fitted finite volume model is developed to solve shallow water equations in open channels. An explicit finite volume method is used to discretize the governing equations in a structured and collocated grid system. A special coupling scheme is applied in some cross-section, based on differences of averaged free surface elevation and flow discharge in 3D model and 1D flow data. The proposed scheme can decrease numerical oscillation and increase the accuracy of the model. The model was applied to simulate 3D flow parameters variation in the developing region of a laboratory flume. Computed 3D velocity profiles were drawn and compared in several cross-sections and layers. Comparing the model results with available experimental data confirmed the efficiency of the scheme