Introduction
The purpose of this project is to develop a numerical model to simulate turbidity currents. This is part of a larger, cross discipline research effort to determine the properties of these currents, especially as they relate to hydrocarbon resevoir formation. This project utilizes field observation (seismic and outcrop data) along with results from direct numerical simulations (DNS) to generate rules for the formation of turbidite deposits. The numerical model will be used to validate and test the rules that arise from analysis of the field data. In addition, it will provide insight into the physical mechanisms involved in the sediment transport system (eg. deposition vs. resuspension). The detailed dynamics of bed evolution can also be examined, such as the effect of various grain sizes and the cumulative effect of multiple flows. This numerical model extends the work of Hartel, Meiburg and Neckar [J. Fluid Mech. (2000)] who developed a highly resolved DNS of gravity currents. This project extends this model to account for depositing/resuspending particle-driven gravity currents over complex bottom geometries. Both 2D and 3D simulations will be performed.
The Team
Eckart Meiburg, Professor and Chair, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, UCSB
Ben Kneller, Professor, Geology, Aberdeen University
Moshe Strauss, Nuclear Research Center, Beer Sheva, Isreal
Mike Glinsky, Global Exploration Technology, BHP Billiton Petroleum
Chris Lerch, Global Exploration Technology, BHP Billiton Petroleum
Stanislav Kuzmin, Global Exploration Technology, BHP Billiton Petroleum
Vineet Birman, PhD Student, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, UCSB
Brendon Hall, PhD Student, Mechanical and Environmental Engineering, UCSB
Previous Members
Francois Blanchette, James Franck Institute, University of Chicago
Back to TopPublications
F. Blanchette, V. Piche, E. Meiburg and M. Strauss, Evaluation of a simplified approach for simulating gravity currents over slopes of varying angles, Computers and Fluids, submitted, 2004 [pdf]
F. Blanchette, M. Strauss, E. Meiburg, B. Kneller, M. Glinsky, High resolution simulations of resuspending gravity currents: conditions for self sustainment, Journal of Geophysical Research, submitted, 2004 [pdf]
Back to TopCurrent Projects
Analysis of Large Eddy Simulation for 2D Gravity Currents
The large eddy simulation (LES) technique was investigated as a method for increasing the effective Reynolds number of the gravity current simulation. LES is a technique where only the larger structures in the flow are resolved, while the smaller ones are modeled. We began this invesigation by implementing a simple model into the 2D gravity current code. The goal is the reduce the compuational resources required for 3D simulations at geophysically relevant parameters. A report [PDF] has been written describing the initial implementation and analysis of this technique. Below are some of the preliminary results.
Comparison of LES and DNS results at Re=2000 at various times:
a) t=5 b) t=10 c) t=15
