GUWAHATI: The researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), led by Arup Kr Sarma from the Department of Civil Engineering, have unveiled the indigenous river model, BRAHMA-2D (Braided River Aid: Hydro-Morphological Analyzer), as per an official report on December 21.
Developed in collaboration with the Brahmaputra Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, this comprehensive mathematical model is set to transform our understanding of the flow dynamics of large braided rivers like the Brahmaputra.
BRAHMA-2D, a quasi-3D river flow model, addresses the challenges posed by traditional measurement methods in deep, large rivers during high monsoons. Predicting river flow variations across depth is crucial for flood and erosion control, agricultural planning, water supply intake design, and even zero-head energy production. The model offers valuable insights for field engineers engaged in designing sustainable hydraulic structures such as Spurs, Revetment, and other riverbank protection measures.
Arup Kr Sarma, speaking about the BRAHMA-2D model, said, "Our mathematical model combines highly complex mathematical modeling with challenging field-based research on large braided rivers. With this quasi-3D river flow model, we can understand how fast the water moves at different depths inside a river and its circulation around a structure like a spur installed to prevent riverbank erosion."
BRAHMA-2D integrates a two-dimensional model of water movement with a theory about entropy, providing a deeper understanding of how features like river banks, spurs, and sandbars influence water flow. The research, showcasing a dip phenomenon near spurs where the flow of water underneath increases, was published in the ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering.
The model was validated on the Brahmaputra River near Majuli Island, the second-largest freshwater river island in the world, which is prone to riverbank erosion. Ongoing research at IIT Guwahati aims to further evolve the BRAHMA-2D model, extending its application to estimate velocity changes for different vegetation types and assess the impact of structures like porcupines on flow velocity.