Implicit Finite-Volume Scheme to Solve Coupled Saint-Venant and Darcy-Forchheimer Equations for Modeling Flow Through Porous Structures

In hydrodynamic modeling of flow through porous structures, the solution domain might encounter discontinuities. These include, for example, porous structure-open channel interface, porous dam-break, and heterogeneous porous structures. The treatment of discontinuity is challenging within a numerical scheme as it can be a source of instabilities. This study proposes a finite-volume method to solve coupled Saint-Venant and Darcy-Forchheimer equations for simulating free-surface flow through porous structures. For capturing shocks arising at discontinuous regions, an upwind scheme is utilized to maintain the solution monotone. Fully implicit methods can allow the choice of longer time steps. Since the current problem involves two nonlinear systems, namely the open-channel and seepage flow equations, the Picard method is adopted to linearize the system of equations. Unlike typical implicit schemes of seepage flows, herein, both flow depth and velocity matrices appear within the iterative process, threatening the convergence criterion. To converge iteration, the continuity equation's flux term is treated using the dynamic wave equation under the relaxation method. The present model is applicable to simulate gradually and rapidly unsteady flow through homogeneous and heterogeneous porous media under laminar, transitional, and fully developed turbulent flow regimes within various closed and/or open boundary conditions.

Automated summary

This study introduces a finite-volume method to address discontinuities in flow through porous structures, utilizing an upwind scheme to maintain solution monotonicity. Linearization of the equations is achieved using the Picard method, while the dynamic wave equation is employed to handle the continuity equation's flux term and improve convergence during iteration.