New Conceptual Framework for the Erosion of Fine Sediment from a Gravel Matrix Based on Experimental Analysis
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 146, Issue 9
Abstract
An experimental nonintrusive methodology is proposed to estimate the spatially averaged erosion rate of fine sediment from a gravel bed. The experiments performed in a laboratory flume show a progressive slowdown of the erosion rate as the level of fine sediment becomes deeper within the gravel matrix, until a maximum depth of erosion is reached. Two original relations are proposed for the maximum cleanout depth and the erosion rate based on a dimensional analysis applied to the experimental results. The proposed erosion rate relation modifies the original Van Rijn formula for a uniform bed, introducing a damping function below the gravel crest. Both the evolution of the erosion rate with depth and the maximum depth of erosion can be defined as simple functions of the general characteristics of the flow and the fine and coarse fractions of the sediment. The proposed approach will lead to improved estimates of the conditions under which fine sediments that have infilled gravel beds are re-entrained. This will help inform strategies aimed at restoring degraded river systems and mitigating the undesired side effects of activities such as sediment flushing which can result in colmation.
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Data Availability Statement
Some of the data, models, or code generated or used during the study are available from the corresponding author by request:
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Text files of bakelite depth versus time for each run;
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Excel file with the characteristics of each run.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers, whose valuable suggestions helped improve the quality of this paper. Part of the research was carried out during the doctoral research of T. H. Tarekegn, supported by the Erasmus Mundus Doctorate Program SMART (http://www.riverscience.eu) funded by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) of the European Commission, and part has been supported by the CDC project “HM, Sustainable Management of Hydroelectric Production, Hydropeaking Mitigation: Morphological Mitigation Measures Assessment,” funded by the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 146 • Issue 9 • September 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 16, 2019
Accepted: Apr 16, 2020
Published online: Jun 27, 2020
Published in print: Sep 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Nov 27, 2020
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