Turbulent Evolution and Energetics of Lock-Release Gravity Currents

Turbulence modeling by use of the renormalization group (RNG) k-ε model for Reynolds-stress closure is carried out to reveal the evolution dynamics for lock release gravity currents with the so-called slumping, inviscid and viscous phases. Field evolution of the turbulent current is investigated, and time transition of global energy balance is presented between the terms of potential energy, averaged kinetic energy, turbulent kinetic energy, turbulent dissipation and viscous dissipation. It is well illustrated that turbulent dissipation and viscous force are respectively dominant in the inviscid and viscous phases, while inertia effect accounts for the slumping.