Circulation cells topology and their effect on migration pattern of different multi-bend meandering rivers

In meandering rivers, a cross-stream flow, referred to as a secondary current, has important effects on broad spectra of hydraulic/environmental characteristics, running the gamut from river hydrodynamics and geomorphology to stream ecology. The transport equation for vorticity and kinetic energy transfer should be analyzed to specify terms involved in generation of secondary currents. However, there is limited research on scrutinizing these terms in meandering rivers. On the other hand, while rivers are mostly multi-bend, previous studies have been limited to single bends. In the current paper, three physical multi-bend channels representing a strongly curved bend, a mild bend and an elongated symmetrical meander loop are designed in order to unravel mechanisms responsible for forming circulation cells in cross sections. Experiments are carried out in the middle bend of these models. Cross-stream turbulence anisotropy considerably strengthens almost all near bank cells. Moreover, contrary to single sharp bends, multi bend effects hinder the transfer of the kinetic energy in both directions in the entrance section of the strongly curved bend.