River System Engineering and Management

Toward the Development of Diverse Capabilities of People and Nature in River Basins and Cities

It is necessary to consider the complex interaction system between natural forces, natural environment and socio-economic activities caused by human-beings to resolve various problems related to water in river basins and cities.

Toward the development of diverse capabilities of people and nature, we are studying on the fundamental subjects and its applications listed below :

  1. Primary factor analysis to environmental changes in river basins and cities
  2. Numerical simulation of river flows and river channel processes and its application of river basin planning
  3. Eco-hydrodynamics of Lakes
  4. Urban water problem including storm water drainage modeling, water supply system, ground water behavior, etc.
  5. Urban geo-water system engineering and management

Academic Staff

Yutaka ICHIKAWA

Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)ichikawa.jpeg

Research Topics

Contacts

Room 265, C cluster 1-3, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-3266
FAX: +81-75-383-3271
E-mail: ichikawa.yutaka.5w@kyoto-u.ac.jp

 

Research Topics

Numerical Model of River Flows and River Channel Processes and Its Applications to River Basin Planning

It is important to develop a numerical model of river flows and river channel processes to predict water stage during floods and scour depth around river structures and to design a stable channel including the ecological point of view.

We have developed various kinds of computational models such as a plane 2-D flood flow model with sediment transport, 3-D local scour model with a non-linear turbulence model, etc. in these years.

Figure 1 shows the simulated results on the initiation of river channel meandering caused by the generation of alternative bars, flow meandering and bank erosion.

These models are expected to apply the river basin planning effectively.

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Figure 1 Numerical simulation of initiation of river channel meandering

Figure 2 shows the calculated results on development processes of dunes. It is observed that a small disturbance generated at the upstream of bed propagates to the downstream with an increase in wave height, and as a result flow resistance is increased.
 

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Figure 2 Numerical simulation on development processes of dunes

 Urban Water System Engineering and Management

 

We have been investigating the water system in a urban area including following subjects :

  1. Urban storm water drainage modeling and its application
  2. Hydraulic analysis of urban water supply system and leakage detection
  3. Ground water behavior in urban area
  4. Hydraulic design of urban water amenity system

Figure 3 shows the water clock installed at Seibu Department Store, Yao Branch, which was designed by a French scientist, Dr. B. Gitton.

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Figure 3 Water clock designed by a French scientist, Dr. B. Gitton
(Seibu Department Store, Yao Branch)

Development of Water Environment Prediction Model

An eco-hydrodynamic model for a lake and an enclosed water basin has been developed to predict the future change of situation and to assess the effect of the global warming.

Figure 4 shows the seasonal variations of vertical distributions of dissolved oxygen in the north part of Lake Biwa.

It has been worried in these years that the dissolved oxygen near the bottom of lake will decrease gradually to zero as observed in other deep lakes. It is necessary to study the fundamental mechanism of seasonal variation of water quality items by using eco-hydrodynamic model for prediction.

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Figure 4 Seasonal variation of vertical distribution of dissolved oxygen in the north part of Lake Biwa

 

Laboratory Website

http://www.river-system.kuciv.kyoto-u.ac.jp/