Academic literature on the topic 'Bedload predictor'

Dune formation in river systems influences sediment transport, flow characteristics, bank erosion, flood control, navigation and the protection of land and infrastructure. Research on dunes is mainly flume-based, and conclusions from such research are rarely, if at all, verified with field measurements. Dune formation and geometry in terms of height, length and steepness is most commonly correlated with averaged flow parameters as flow depth. Application of relations defined in flume conditions is limited due to stationary flow conditions and extrapolation issues for natural watercourses. It is reasonable to assume that apparent bedload velocity has significant influence on dune field formation due to nature of movement of sand particles across sandy riverbed. This research investigates applicability of apparent bedload velocity as argument in empirical relations for dune geometric characteristics.

Abstract. Although channel discharge represents one of the primary controls of bedload transport rates in mountain streams, it is rarely measured in small, steep catchments. Thus, it is often impossible to use it as a predictor of hazardous bedload events. In this study, the characteristics of rainfall events leading to bedload transport were investigated in five small Alpine catchments located in different geographical and morphological regions of Switzerland, Italy and France. Using rainfall data at high temporal resolution, a total of 370 rainfall events were identified that led to abundant sediment transport in the different catchments, and corresponding threshold lines were defined using a power law in intensity–duration space. Even though considerable differences in the distribution of the rainfall data were identified between catchments located in various regions, the determined threshold lines show rather similar characteristics. Such threshold lines indicate critical conditions for bedload transport initiation, but rainfall events that do not cause transport activity (so called no-bedload events) can still plot above them. With 0.67 overall in the Erlenbach (Swiss Prealps) and 0.90 for long-duration, low-intensity rainfall, the false alarm rate is considerable. However, for short-duration, high-intensity events, it is substantially smaller (0.33) and comparable to values determined in previous studies on the triggering of Alpine debris flows. Our results support the applicability of a traditional, generalized threshold for prediction or warning purposes during high-intensity rainfall. Such (often convective) rainfall events are unfortunately (i) difficult to measure, even by dense rain gauge networks, and (ii) difficult to accurately predict, both due to their small spatial and temporal scales. Still, for the protection of human life (e.g. along transportation infrastructure such as roads and railway) automated alerts based on power law threshold lines may be useful.

AbstractAt river bifurcations water and sediment is divided among the downstream branches. Prediction of the sediment transport rate and division thereof at bifurcations is of utmost importance for understanding the evolution of the bifurcates for short-term management purposes and for long-term fluvial plain development. However, measured sediment transports in rivers rarely show a uniquely determined relation with hydrodynamic parameters. Commonly a hysteresis is observed of transport rate as a function of discharge or shear stress which cannot be explained with the standard sediment transport predictor approach. The aim of this paper is to investigate the causes of hysteresis at a bifurcation of the lower Rhine river, a meandering river with stable banks, large dunes during flood, and poorly sorted bed sediment. The hydrodynamics and bed sediment transport were measured in detail during a discharge wave with a recurrence interval larger than 10 years. Surprisingly, the hysteresis in bedload against discharge was in the opposite direction upstream and downstream of the bifurcation. The upstream clockwise hysteresis is caused by the lagging development of dunes during the flood. The counter-clockwise hysteresis downstream of the bifurcation is caused by a combination of processes in addition to dune lagging, namely 1) formation of a scour zone upstream of the bifurcation, causing a migrating fine sediment wave, and 2) vertical bed sorting of the bed sediment by dunes with avalanching lee-sides, together leading to surface-sediment fining and increased transport during and after the flood. These findings lead to challenges for future morphological models, particularly for bifurcations, which will have to deal with varying discharge, sediment sorting in the channel bed, lagging dunes and related hydraulic roughness.

Based on a method stochastic processes, two new bedload transport models for the ith size fraction nonuniform sediment are theoretically developed by using a stochastic model of sediment exchange and the probabilistic distribution of fractional bedload transport rates. The relations, proposed recently by Yang, for the probability of fractional incipient motion and for the average velocity of particle motion are introduced to bedload formulas. Plenty of experimental data for the bedload transport rate of uniform sediment are used to determine parameters. Finally, the two models are verified with natural data expressing the transport of nonuniform sediment under full motion in laboratory flume. The result shows that the experimental observations agree well with the predicted fractional bedload transport rates. Comparison of the theory with field data shows that the proposed formula still applies to uniform sediment transportation condition as long as the relevant parameters for uniform sediment are taken into account.

Sedimentation in sewer pipes has a negative impact on the performance of sewerage systems. However, due to the complex nature of sedimentation, determining the governing equations is difficult and the results of the available classic models for computing bedload transport rate often differ from each other. This paper focuses on the capability of a support vector machine (SVM) as a meta-model approach for predicting bedload transport in pipes. The method was applied for the deposition and limit of deposition states of sediment transport. Two different scenarios were proposed: in Scenario 1, the input combinations were prepared using only hydraulic characteristics, on the other hand, Scenario 2 was built using both hydraulic and sediment characteristics as model inputs of bedload transport. A comparison between the SVM and the employed classic approaches in predicting sediment transport indicated the supreme performance of the SVM, in which more accurate results were obtained. Also it was found that for estimation of bedload transport in pipes, Scenario 2 led to a more valid outcome than Scenario 1. Based on the sensitivity analysis, parameters Frm and d50/y in the limit of deposition state and Frm in the deposition state had the more dominant role in prediction of bedload discharge in pipes than other parameters.

Site specific bedload and suspended sediment transport data collected at two test pit locations over a four-day period during April 2015 were analyzed to calibrate a numerical sediment transport model of Cook Inlet, AK. The field data campaign was designed to collect suspended load and bedload field measurements and was carried out in two phases. During Phase 1, both suspended load and bedload measurements were taken at approximately 55 ft water depth. The suspended sediment concentration was observed to be nearly uniform over the water column. Laboratory analysis showed the suspended sediment had an effective grain size of approximately 0.03 mm with 0.005 mm within a 95percent confidence interval. During Phase 2, hydrodynamic, suspended load and bedload measurements were collected over four tidal cycles in the surfzone. A two-dimensional sediment transport model was developed to simulate sediment transport infill rates at the dredged areas of the Project site. The model was calibrated by comparing measured suspended load measurements made at two offshore locations. Calibration results showed that the suspended load transport rate, which is the dominant sediment transport regime in the area, can be predicted accurately at the project site. Based on the calibrated sediment transport model, preliminary annual sediment infill rates were estimated to lie between 1.1 to 1.6 ft/yr at offshore and nearshore locations, respectively, for the presently observed and measured conditions.

The hydraulic habitat of 12 sites in a small salmon stream in central New Brunswick was investigated between 1992 and 1995 to determine patterns of habitat (substrate) stability between and within reaches. Stability was evaluated by measuring particle size distribution in replicated erosional and depositional sites in each reach and calculating the proportion of the bed predicted to be in motion at given flood flows. Erosional (riffle) sites in all reaches showed significant differences (ANOVA, p < 0.05) in substrate particle sizes from year to year, movement of embedded sediment samplers, and high predicted bedload mevement, even in small spates. In contrast, depositional sites (flats, some runs) appeared stable, showing no significant year-to-year differences in particle sizes, no movement of embedded samplers, and no increase in predicted bedload movement until high flow. The impact of the flood on the streambed depends heavily on the particle size distribution present during the flood, resulting in different levels of substrate disturbance during equal-magnitude floods in different years. Certain sites (e.g., flats) may be able to serve as hydraulic refugia to stream fauna during some floods. It is clear that year-to-year variations in substrate stability must be considered when evaluating habitat stability for stream fauna.

Vegetation has been identified to play a significant role in river environments by providing a wide range of ecosystem services. For this reason, the use of plants has become relevant in river restoration projects. However, the presence of plants in channel beds increases the flow resistance and, thus, the water levels during flood conditions. Additionally, river vegetation, whether instream or riparian, influences the morphological evolution of rivers. Observations show that instream vegetation has a strong impact on bedload transport. Yet, there is a scarcity of sediment transport predictors that directly account for the effects of plants, and existing methods, based on re-calculation of roughness coefficients, may present some inconsistencies. Therefore, an approach that extends Einstein’s (1950) parameters to include the effects of vegetation geometry and spatial density on sediment transport is herein proposed. The new formulations of the dimensionless transport parameter Φ and the flow intensity parameter Ψ were derived for their implementation in existing bedload predictors of the form Φ = (Ψ). The applicability of this new approach considers the presence of submerged and emergent vegetation, but reduces to the original Einstein’s model if vegetation is absent. The research methodology was carried out in four phases. First, a comprehensive literature review for the identification of, mainly, the different effects of vegetation on river morphodynamics, the state-of-the-art knowledge on the flow-sediment-vegetation interactions, and the current approaches to bedload estimation in channels with vegetated beds. Second, the derivation of the extended Einstein’s parameters, starting from a momentum balance for a control volume of a generic channel with instream submerged vegetation (as proposed by Petryk and Bosmajian, 1975). Third, an extensive experimental program carried out on a tilting flume with a mobile bed and with plants being represented by series of aluminum cylinders. Different scenarios of vegetation spatial density were tested while measurements of bedload rate, water level, bed level and flow velocity were periodically performed in order to assess conditions of stationarity and morphodynamic equilibrium. Last, a deep analysis of experimental results allowed for the calibration of the new approach, whereas external datasets from the literature were used to assess its performance in a wide variety of conditions. A study based on four statistical measures showed that the extended Einstein’s parameters are significantly more suitable for bedload rate estimation when compared to the original ones, since predicted and measured values have, on average, the same order of magnitude. Additionally, the new approach outperformed the widely-adopted method of Baptist (2005), which consists of the re-calculation of bed roughness in vegetated settings. Finally, the experimental observations suggest that the submergence ratio and the stem spatial density are the most important traits of river plants to display influence on bedload transport, channel bed stability, and bed form dimensions and patterns. A better understanding of these traits might lead to better prediction capabilities of river evolution.
La vegetazione svolge un ruolo fondamentale negli ambienti fluviali, poiché fornisce un ampio spettro di servizi ecosistemici; per questo essa è una componente rilevante dei progetti di riqualificazione fluviale. Tuttavia, la presenza di piante in alveo aumenta la resistenza al moto e di conseguenza anche il tirante idrico durante gli eventi di piena. Inoltre, la copertura vegetale in alveo e nelle zone riparie influenza l'evoluzione morfologica dei corsi d'acqua. Nonostante le evidenze sperimentali mostrino che la vegetazione in alveo ha un forte impatto sul trasporto dei sedimenti, sono poche le formule di trasporto che tengono conto in modo esplicito dell'effetto della vegetazione e i metodi esistenti, basati sulla determinazione di un coefficiente di scabrezza, possono dare luogo a incongruenze. Per questa ragione, in questa tesi si propone un approccio che estende la formulazione di Einstein (1950) e include l'effetto della geometria e della densità spaziale della vegetazione sul trasporto solido. Sono state derivate nuove espressioni per il parametro di trasporto adimensionale Φ e il parametro di intensità del trasporto Ψ, che possono essere introdotte in modelli di trasporto esistenti del tipo Φ = f(Ψ). Questo nuovo approccio consente di considerare l'effetto della presenza di vegetazione sommersa ed emergente e si riduce al modello originale di Einstein in assenza di vegetazione. L'attività di ricerca si è svolta in quattro fasi. Nella prima fase si è svolta un'analisi approfondita della letteratura mirata soprattutto a identificare gli effetti della vegetazione sulla morfodinamica fluviale, definire lo stato dell'arte relativo alle interazioni fra flusso liquido, sedimenti e vegetazione, ed analizzare gli approcci esistenti per la stima del trasporto di fondo in alvei vegetati. Nella seconda fase si sono derivati i parametri della formulazione di Einstein estesa a partire dal bilancio di quantità di moto per un volume di controllo di un canale generico con vegetazione sommersa (come proposto da Petryk e Bosmajian, 1975). Nella terza fase è stato condotto un esteso set di esperimenti, utilizzando un modello fisico costituito da una canaletta di laboratorio a pendenza variabile e fondo mobile, in cui le piante sono state simulate tramite cilindri in alluminio. Sono stati riprodotti diversi scenari di densità spaziale della vegetazione e sono stati misurati periodicamente la portata solida, la quota della superficie libera e del fondo e la velocità della corrente per valutare le condizioni di stazionarietà ed equilibrio morfodinamico. Infine, il nuovo approccio è stato calibrato sulla base di un'analisi approfondita dei risultati sperimentali e quindi applicato a set di dati di letteratura per valutarne l'accuratezza in un ampio intervallo di condizioni. Un'analisi statistica basata su quattro indicatori ha mostrato che i parametri della formulazione di Einstein estesa producono stime di trasporto solido sensibilmente più accurate rispetto ai parametri originali, in quanto i valori calcolati sono, in generale, dello stesso ordine di grandezza dei valori misurati. Inoltre, il nuovo approccio dà risultati migliori rispetto al metodo di Baptist (2005), ampiamente adottato, che consiste nel ricalcolo della scabrezza per gli alvei vegetati. Infine, le osservazioni sperimentali suggeriscono che il rapporto di sommergenza e la densità spaziale delle piante sono i parametri che influenzano in modo più significativo il trasporto solido, la stabilità del fondo dell'alveo, la scala delle forme di fondo e la loro organizzazione spaziale. Una conoscenza più approfondita di questi aspetti può contribuire a una maggiore capacità di prevedere l'evoluzione dei corsi d'acqua.
Se ha identificado a la vegetación como un actor importante en ambientes fluviales al proporcionar una amplia gama de servicios ecosistémicos. Por esta razón, el uso de plantas se ha vuelto cada vez más relevante en proyectos de restauración de ríos. Sin embargo, su presencia en lechos fluviales impacta la resistencia al flujo, aumentando los niveles del agua en condiciones de inundación. Además, este tipo de vegetación, ya sea que esté en el lecho o en las márgenes, influye en la evolución morfológica de los ríos. Diversas observaciones han mostrado que la vegetación fluvial tiene un fuerte impacto en las tasas de transporte sólido de fondo. A pesar de ello, hay una escasez de métodos confiables para la estimación de este tipo de sedimentos que tome en consideración el efecto de las plantas y, aquéllos que existen, los cuales se basan en la corrección del coeficiente de rugosidad del canal, suelen presentar resultados inconsistentes. Por tanto, se propone aquí un método que extiende las definiciones fundamentales de Einstein (1950) en modo que se incluyan los efectos de la geometría y la densidad espacial de las plantas sobre el transporte sólido. Las nuevas ecuaciones del parámtero de transporte, Φ, y el parámetro de movilidad, Ψ, fueron obtenidas para su implementación en métodos predictores de transporte de fondo de la forma Φ = (Ψ). La aplicabilidad de este nuevo enfoque considera la posibilidad de vegtación fluvial tanto emergente como sumergida, y se reduce a las ecuaciones originales de Einstein si ésta fuera inexistente. La metodología de investigación se llevó a cabo en cuatro fases. Primero, una revisión exhaustiva de la literatura para la identificación, principalmente, de los diferentes efectos de la vegetación en la morfodinámica de ríos, los avances más recientes en el conocimiento sobre las interacciones flujo-sedimento-vegetación, y los métodos actualmente existentes para la estimación del transporte sólido de fondo en canales naturales vegetados. En segundo lugar, la obtención de los parámetros de Einstein extendidos a partir de un balance de momentum para el volumen de control de un canal genérico con vegetación sumergida (según lo propuesto por Petryk y Bosmajian, 1975). En tercer lugar, un extenso programa experimental realizado en un canal de fondo móvil y pendiente variable, con las plantas siendo representadas por series de cilindros metálicos. Se probaron diferentes escenarios de densidad espacial de vegetación, mientras que periódicamente se realizaron mediciones transporte sólido, niveles del agua, topografía del fondo y velocidad del flujo con el objeto de evaluar las condiciones de flujo uniforme y equilibrio morfodinámico. Por último, un análisis profundo de los resultados experimentales permitió la calibración del nuevo método, mientras que se utilizaron datos externos disponibles en la literatura para evaluar su desempeño bajo diversas condiciones. Un estudio basado en cuatro medidas estadísticas mostró que los parámetros extendidos de Einstein son mucho más adecuados para la estimación del transporte de fondo en comparación con los originales, ya que los valores estimados y los medidos muestran, en promedio, el mismo orden de magnitud. Además, el nuevo método superó al propuesto por Baptist (2005), ampliamente utilizado, el cual consiste en la corrección de la rugosidad del canal en presencia de vegetación. Finalmente, las observaciones experimentales sugieren que la sumergencia de las plantas y la densidad espacial de los tallos son las variables más influyentes en el transporte sedimentos de fondo, la estabilidad del lecho, y las dimensiones y patrones de la forma de fondo. Una mejor comprensión de estas variables puede significar una mejor capacidad para predecir la evolución de un río.

The problem of defining sediment supply conditions is of fundamental importance in the prediction of bedload discharge in alluvial channels, because most bedload equations were developed based on the general assumption that the rates at which sediment becomes available for transport equal the sediment-transport capacity of the flow. The classification of availability of sediment on the accuracy and applicability of seven bedload equations in alluvial channels is described and discussed in this dissertation. Historical hydraulic and sedimentological data from 22 alluvial channels of the United States are used to define the sediment-transport regimes and to compare predicted and measured bedload discharges. Exponential relations between sediment supply end energy are used to show if at a reach scale a channel has supply-limited or non-supply limited regime based on the statistical variations of bedload-transport rates with stream power. The root-mean-square error and the inequality coefficients are use to assess the bedload equation's ability to reproduce the trend of the measured values, whereas the discrepancy ratio is used to evaluate the equation's ability to reproduce individual measured data. Relations between the median particle-size ratio, which quantifies the coarseness or fineness of the channel bed, and the discrepancy ratio are used to illustrate process controlling the accuracy of bedload equations. Information presented here shows that an understanding of channel's sediment regime in the process of bedload prediction improves the applicability of bedload equations in alluvial channels.

Bedload transport has long been known for its complexity. Despite decades of research, significant gaps of understanding exist in the ability to assess and predict bedload movement. This work introduces a comprehensive bedload database that is a compilation of field samples collected over the past 40 years; compares prediction formulae using a subset of the database; evaluates the influence of the armor layer on stream response to sediment input based on a hypothesis linked to one of the tested formulae, presents a mathematically manipulation of the empirical Pagosa Good/Fair formula for bedload transport into a format similar to the semi-empirical Parker Surface-Based 1990 formula; and addresses the complications of bedload transport by collecting bedload samples on a stream in Central Utah. A comprehensive review of available bedload data resulted in a publicly available database with more than 8,000 individual bedload samples on gravel bed streams. Each measurement included extensive and detailed information regarding channel, site, and hydraulic characteristics. A subset of this database was used to compare four calibrated (a single calibration point of a measured bedload transport rate near bankfull discharge is used to improve formula prediction accuracy) and two un-calibrated bedload prediction formulae. The four calibrated formulae include three semi-empirical (a theoretical treatment adjusted to fit bedload measurements) formulae and one empirical (solely based on regression of bedload measurements) formula; the two un-calibrated formulae are both semi-empirical. Of the formulae compared, the empirical Pagosa Good/Fair formula (a calibrated formula) provided the most accurate prediction results with an overall root mean square error of 6.4%, an improvement of several orders of magnitude over the un-calibrated formulae. The Pagosa Good/Fair formula is cast in a form similar to the Parker 1990 formula, suggesting that criticisms stating that the empirical Pagosa method lacks a theoretical basis are unfounded. The hypothesis of equal mobility that states the gradation of the average annual gravel bedload yield for a given stream matches the particle size distribution of the subsurface material is evaluated with relation to the armor layer. Equal mobility is found to correlate to armor layer such that lower armor ratios indicate a greater tendency to uphold the equal mobility hypothesis and increasing armor ratio values tending to move toward supply limited conditions. This correlation provides an upper limit for lightly armored streams. Bedload sampling efforts described in this work compare the Helley-Smith sampler with the net trap sampler and duplicate previous observations that bedload transport collected using net traps increase more rapidly with discharge than for data collected using Helley-Smith samplers. An alternative, relatively low-cost method for collecting bedload during relatively high discharges on highly urbanized streams is also proposed.

Abstract Compared to the conventional CFD method, the CFD–DEM coupling is proposed to simulate the solid–liquid two–phase flow in the horizontal pipe in this paper. The standard k–ε model was utilized for fluid turbulent flow, the standard wall functions for near-wall zone treatment, and the Hertz–Mindlin (no slip) model for particle–particle and particle–wall contact. The movements and distribution of particles in different inlet velocities and pressure drop in pipeline are investigated in this paper. The results show that the coarse particles appear starting, discontinuous movement as bedload, continuous movement as bedload, and suspension in order with mean velocity of fluid media increase; with the increasing inlet velocity, the distribution of partilces in the pipe becomes more even, however, the concentration of the particles on the botton is larger than that on the top. Moreover, the pressure drop predicted by this method is compared with the Churchill pressure drop model and results are not identical. Therefore, the regular of pressure drop is demonstrated in this paper.

This paper presents interpretation of the results of 2D CFD modelling using ANSYS Fluent, which has been undertaken for a parametric range of over 200 cases, including over 60 different seabed geometries, pipe diameters and seabed roughnesses as well as a range of steady current, wave and combined wave / current cases. Through analysis of the results including evaluation of seabed shear stress amplification factors compared to far-field ambient values, integration across the seabed of seabed shear stresses and bedload transport potential, the conditions under which sedimentation can be expected are predicted. The results have relevance to improving our understanding of sedimentation (backfilling) around subsea pipelines under live bed conditions, since the presence of shear-stress deficits or shadows leads to enhanced accretion of sediment in the region of a pipeline, even where there is localised amplification of shear stress right next to the pipe. The results are expected to enable better approaches design of subsea pipeline stability on erodible seabeds, or on impermeable rocky beds where veneers of mobile sediment are present.

Abstract Cuttings transport is one significant challenge during drilling especially in high deviated and horizontal wellbores. At high degree of inclination, cutting particles may settle to the low side of the wellbore. Below a threshold flow rate, the fluid forces on a particle at the wall will be insufficient to re-entrain the particle and a moving bed of particles will accumulate. The removal of cuttings bed could be difficult once it is formed. Cuttings bed accumulation can create operational problems with respect to drill time and drill cost. Therefore, a good strategy is needed to combine drilling parameters that influence the cuttings transport in efficient and economical ways. In this study, bed shear stress from cuttings transport experiments in a 10 m annular flow loop is estimated using three different methods. The bed shear stress predicted using bedload transport model differed by less than 5% from the average wall shear stress calculated from experimental values for pressure drop and bed hold up. Calculation using a friction factor correlation gave significantly lower values than obtained with the other two methods. Inclination appears to have larger effect on particle transport properties to water based mud (WBM) than oil based mud (OBM) at low flow rate.