Turbulent coherent structures, Secondary currents and Sediment ridges

Abstract

The origin of secondary currents and subaqueous sediment patterns in natural rivers is analysed from first principles. For this purpose, simulations of sediment transport in canonical turbulent open channel flows are performed using a numerical technique that resolves all relevant flow scales and the dynamics of the individual sand grains. The high-fidelity datasets reveal the fundamental importance of individual coherent structures for the development of sediment patterns and secondary flows.