Abstract: The hydraulic characteristic of continuous micro-bend channel was researched on a continuous bend physical model with sinuosity of 1.07 and Reynolds stress model. The water line, flow velocity field, circulating flow in bend channels, and intensity were examined. Reynolds stress model is proved well simulates the flow in continuous bend. In a given section, the vertical longitudinal velocity distribution in the adjacent of convex bank approached to logarithmic distribution, while the vertical longitudinal velocity adjoining concave bank displayed a bulging shape, increasing firstly and then decreasing with the growth of relative water depth. Circulating flow in bends displayed asymmetric double circulation structure, with the flow intensity larger in the surface and bottom of flume than that in the central part, and larger at concave bank than that at convex bank.

Key words: micro-bend continuous channel, sinuosity, hydraulic characteristics, flume experiment, circulating flow intensity