Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The Nanwang Water Diversion Hub, a core hydraulic heritage in the Ming-Qing Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal’s Huitong River section, was vital for water regulation and navigation. Using HEC-RAS, we constructed a numerical restoration model to simulate its impact on local hydraulics, water management, and navigation capacity. Simulations show the Hub crucially regulated water levels, improved navigation, and reduced riverbed erosion. By elevating levels, stabilizing flow, and mitigating hydraulic jumps, it significantly enhanced navigation safety. Precise energy distribution management boosted the canal’s diversion, storage, and drainage capacities, enabling sustainable water supply. Matching an optimal energy gradient effectively reduced local shear stress, inhibited erosion/sedimentation, strengthened channel stability, and prolonged canal lifespan. This study quantitatively reveals ancient composite hydraulic system mechanisms and provides a scientific basis for digital conservation, functional reconstruction, and sustainable utilization of this World Heritage canal. The methodology is applicable to other ancient canal heritage conservation.
Source: npj Heritage Science
Authors: Lifeng Tan, Yangxiao Feng, Cheng Wang, Zhichao Sun, Ying Ouyang, Chen Yang
Institution: Tianjin Chengjian University
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Award: G2860682636
OpenAlex ID: W4415489235