Prediction of Critical Shields Number for Incipient Sediment Motion in Shallow Flows
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149, Issue 9
Abstract
The Shields curve underestimates the critical shear stress for incipient sediment motion in shallow flow conditions. This study starts with a consideration of sediment transport based on Bagnold’s concept of stream power. Then it is shown that the critical Shields number is related to the dimensionless sediment transport rate and friction factor. Finally, by defining the threshold condition using the pickup probability, the critical Shields number is presented as a function of relative roughness height for incipient sediment motion in shallow flows. The proposed formula was calibrated with experimental data collected from 13 sources in the literature.
Practical Applications
Gravel-bed rivers usually are characterized by shallow water and steep slopes, e.g., in mountain rivers. Sediment motion in such a case long has been a subject of research interest. To evaluate incipient sediment motion over a gravel bed, we propose applying the critical sediment transport rate. With the concept of stream power and pickup probability, the critical Shields number is theoretically related to the dimensionless sediment transport rate and flow resistance. Consequently, a new formula was developed for calculating critical Shields number based on the relative roughness height. The formula was calibrated using previous experimental results.
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Data Availability Statement
All data used for this study are available in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51979242).
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 149 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 8, 2022
Accepted: Apr 27, 2023
Published online: Jun 26, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 26, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Energy engineering
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Flow (fluid dynamics)
- Fluid dynamics
- Fluid mechanics
- Friction
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic properties
- Hydraulic roughness
- Hydro power
- Hydrologic engineering
- Mathematics
- Probability
- Renewable energy
- River engineering
- Sediment
- Sediment transport
- Shear flow
- Shear stress
- Solid mechanics
- Stress (by type)
- Structural analysis
- Structural engineering
- Thermodynamics
- Transport phenomena
- Transport rates
- Water and water resources
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