PIV study of separated and reattached open channel flow over surface mounted blocks

A particle image velocimetry is used to study the mean and turbulent fields of separated and redeveloping flow over square, rectangular, and semicircular blocks fixed to the bottom wall of an open channel. The open channel flow is characterized by high background turbulence level, and the ratio of the upstream boundary layer thickness to block height is considerably higher than in prior experiments. The variation of the Reynolds stresses along the dividing streamlines is discussed within the context of vortex stretching, longitudinal strain rate, and wall damping. It appears that wall damping is a more dominant mechanism in the vicinity of reattachment. In the recirculation and reattachment regions, profiles of the mean velocity, turbulent quantities, and transport terms are used to document the salient features of block geometry on the flow. The flow characteristics in these regions strongly depend on block geometry. Downstream of reattachment, a new shear layer is formed, and the redevelopment of the shear layer toward the upstream open channel boundary layer is studied using the boundary layer parameters and Reynolds stresses. The results show that the mean flow rapidly redeveloped so that the Clauser parameter recovered to its upstream value at 90 step heights downstream of reattachment. However, the rate of development close to reattachment strongly depends on block geometry.