Discharge Estimation at the Apex of Compound Meandering Channels

A new method is proposed to calculate flow in a compound meandering channel by considering the momentum transfer between different zones. Vertical momentum transfer, at the horizontal interface of the lower main channel and the meander belt; and the horizontal momentum transfer, at the vertical interfaces between the meander belt and the adjoining outer floodplains. Modelling of this analytical method for the bend apex section is carried out, for a control volume of unit length. Calibration has been carried out for different laboratory channels and a natural river, demonstrating that the present model is capable of providing an adequate prediction of discharge in experimental as well as in field study. A constant value of 0.01 as the momentum transfer coefficient is verified to act at the interacting interfaces for the meandering channels. The zonal velocity for each subsection is determined, which facilitates prediction of discharge distribution.