Analysis of flow around impermeable groynes on one side of symmetrical compound channel: An experimental study

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the influences of floodplain impermeable groynes on flow structure, velocity, and water depth around the groyne(s). A wooden symmetrical compound channel was used. Groyne models with three different groyne relative lengths, 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, were used on one floodplain with single and series arrangements. Analysis of the experimental results using the measured flow velocity and water depth values showed that flow structure, velocity, and water depth mainly depend on groyne relative length and the relative distance between series groynes. The flow velocity at the main channel centerline increased by about 40%, 60%, and 85%, and in other parts on the horizontal plane at the floodplain mid-water depth by about 75%, 125%, and 175% of its original value in cases of one-side floodplain groyne(s) with relative lengths of 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0, respectively. The effective distance between two groynes in series arrangement ranges from 3 to 4 times the groyne length. Using an impermeable groyne with a large relative length in river floodplains increases the generation of eddy and roller zones downstream of the groyne, leading to more scouring and deposition. To avoid that, the groyne relative length must be kept below half the floodplain width.