ABSTRACT

The environmental protection of the rivers estuaries or channels near coastal areas from seawater entrance is of paramount importance. Stratified flows between two distinct layers of fluids, of slightly different density, are correlated with a variety of practical problems such as water quality, the length of saline and warm arrested wedges. The current numerical research work is based on a laboratory experimental investigation (previously conducted) of a two-layered system. Main scope was the correlation of the mean interfacial friction factor with the flow and salinity parameters. The hydraulic flow conditions of a two-layered system comprised of fresh and salt water are numerically simulated under unsteady flow conditions. Numerical predictions and measurements of the vertical distribution of the relative density under different freshwater discharges and salt water densities are satisfactorily compared.