Self-aerated free-surface flow studies have a more recent history compared to classical fluid dynamics. Traditional velocimetry techniques are adversely affected by the presence of gas–liquid interfaces. In the present study, detailed air-water flow measurements were performed in a highly turbulent free-surface flow, and three velocimetry approaches were applied: (a) centreline dual-tip phase-detection needle probe measurements at all step edges downstream of the inception location of free-surface aeration; (b) Optical Flow (OF) data based upon ultra-high-speed video movies through the left sidewall; and (c) Optical Flow (OF) data based upon ultra-high-speed video movies overlooking the self-aerated flow, in a direction normal to the pseudo-bottom formed by the staircase profile. The study was conducted in a steep channel and three stepped invert geometries were tested. The results highlighted both advantages and limitations of the three complementary metrologies in free-surface flows with strong turbulence. The dual-tip phase-detection probe delivered reliable interfacial velocity data, but in the form of point measurements. The sideview OF technique provided a great level of details of the cavity recirculation and shear zone between mainstream and cavity, but the data were unreliable for void fractions>0.30 and only limited to the sidewall region. The top view OF technique characterised the surface velocity field across the entire chute width, highlighting the occurrence of three-dimensional air-water surface patterns. One observed limitation of the OF was the requirements of a high frame rate (i.e. 10,000 fps or more) and high-quality light source. Overall, these measurement techniques provided complementary results for a better understanding of the physical behaviour of highly turbulent multiphase flows on stepped channels.

At hydraulic structures, some strong interactions may develop between fast flowing waters and the air adjacent to the water in motion that enhance the air-water transfer of atmospheric and volatile gases in the flow. In turn, in-stream structures may contribute to the aeration and re-oxygenation during overflow. The present study aims to characterize the aeration performance of a steep stepped weir, based upon a detailed physical investigation of air-water interfacial properties across a relatively wide range of discharges. The data showed a strong fragmentation of the air-water flows, a very broad range of entrained bubbles and drops, and a large amount of particle clustering. The results implied a monotonic increase in re-aeration with increasing rate of energy dissipation, while the largest aeration efficiency was observed on the horizontal step weir chute, with the smallest on the 1V:2.33H inclined downward steps. Altogether, the study showed that a steep stepped chute can make a sizeable contribution to the re-oxygenation of the waters, although the downward inclined steps reduce the re-aeration performances.

On a stepped spillway, the staircase invert profile generates some intense turbulent dissipation during the spill, associated with a significant reduction of kinetic energy, as well as strong self-aeration. The present study focused on the effects of inclined downward steps on the air-water flow properties, flow resistance, and head losses because these mostly relate to spillway design. Some physical modeling was conducted in a relatively large facility with a 45° stepped chute (1V:1H) operating with Reynolds numbers 2.8×103<Re<1×106. The presence of downward steps induced some elongated asymmetrical cavity shapes, creating a less stable cavity recirculation pattern along the entire chute, leading to different interactions with the main stream. In terms of basic air-water flow properties, the distributions of void fraction and bubble count rate presented very close results for all three stepped geometries, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The interfacial velocities did not reach any uniform equilibrium (i.e., normal flow) condition, and the fastest velocities were recorded with the 1V:2.33H inclined downward stepped chute geometry (δ =23.3° and λ/k=3), and the slowest velocities on the horizontal stepped chute (δ=0 and λ/k=2). The Darcy-Weisbach friction factor f and relative head loss δ H/Hmax were estimated in the self-aerated flow. The comparative analyses suggested that the largest total drag and head losses were observed on the stepped chute with flat horizontal steps. An inclined downward stepped design yielded lesser head losses for all investigated flow conditions, providing an important information for practical engineers designing these hydraulic structures.