Effects of Physical Properties on Erosional and Yield Strengths of Fine-Grained Sediments
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 142, Issue 11
Abstract
Due to interparticle forces between clay particles in fine-grained sediments, erodibility and transport mechanisms for fine sediments are different from those for coarse sediments, and the capability to predict the erosion resistance of fine sediments is still in question. In this study, sediment specimens with different kaolinite contents were prepared by mixing ground silica and Georgia kaolin with tap water. Geotechnical tests were carried out to obtain the sediment physical properties. The erosional and yield strengths of the specimens were determined through hydraulic flume experiments and rheometer tests, respectively. Relationships among the erosional and yield strengths and the sediment physical properties were developed. In dimensionless form, erosional and yield strengths of fine sediments are predicted by sediment properties including clay-size fraction and water content. In addition, a relationship is obtained to predict Shields’ parameter as a function of the corresponding dimensionless yield stress. This procedure can be used potentially in engineering applications such as estimating river bank stability and evaluating erosion risk of river beds in proximity to flow obstructions for fine sediments.
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Acknowledgments
The support of the research reported herein by the Georgia Department of Transportation is gratefully acknowledged. The critical comments of the reviewers and AE are also much appreciated.
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Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 142 • Issue 11 • November 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 12, 2015
Accepted: Apr 12, 2016
Published online: Jul 11, 2016
Published in print: Nov 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Dec 11, 2016
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