Simulação numérica tridimensional do campo médio do escoamento em uma comporta segmento invertida

Abstract

Reversed Tainter gates are often used to control the filling and emptying of high lift navigation locks. During the opening period, high velocities and pressure fluctuations occur downstream the gates, which increases the potential for the occurrence of cavitation in the flow. In this work we seek to analyze by means of numerical simulation the characteristics of the flow downstream of a reversed Tainter gate. The computational model was validated by comparing the profiles of pressure of the roof and at the base of the conduit downstream of the gate with the average pressure profiles obtained in an experimental model from studies conducted by IPH-UFRGS. A comparison of the results showed that the model reproduced with good accuracy the main flow characteristics observed in experimental medium. The hydraulic coefficient calculated for the numerical results also showed good agreement with experimental results and those available in the literature. The analysis of the pressure field showed that the minimum pressures are under the edge of the gate. Furthermore, it was found by means of the shear stress at the base of the conduit and through velocity vector a threedimensional pattern in the jet flow downstream of the gate, characterized by the presence of vortex near the base and walls.