Near-bed mass flux profiles in aeolian sand transport: high-resolution measurements in a wind tunnel

Vertical profiles of the streamwise mass flux of blown sand in the near-bed (< 17 mm) region are analysed from high-resolution measurements made using an optical sensor in a wind tunnel. This analysis is complemented by detailed measurements of mass flux and mean velocity profiles throughout the boundary layer depth (0·17 m) using passive, chambered sand traps of small dimensions and armoured thermal anemometers, respectively. The data permit a preliminary analysis of the relations between the observed forms of the profiles of near-bed fluid stress and horizontal mass flux within a carefully conditioned boundary layer. Profiles of mass flux density are found to be characterized by three regions of differing gradient with transitions at about 2 mm and 19 mm above the bed. The exponential decay of mass flux with height is confirmed for elevations above 19 mm, and when plotted as a function of u_*²/g (a parameter of mean vertical trajectory height in saltation), the gradient of mass flux in this region scales with the wake-corrected friction velocity (u), where u > 0·30 m s⁻¹. A separate near-bed region of more intense transport below 19 mm is identified which carries 80 per cent of the total mass flux. This region is evident in some previous field and wind tunnel data but not in profiles simulated by numerical models. Ventilated passive sand traps underestimate mass flux in this region by 37 per cent. At slow or moderate wind speeds a third significant region below 2 mm is observed. These regions are likely to be related to grain populations in successive saltation, low-energy ejections and intermittent bed contact, respectively. Optical measurements reveal locally high grain concentrations at some elevations below 5 mm; these heights scale with transport rate, mass flux gradient and wind speed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparing different methods of bed shear stress estimates in simple and complex flow fields

Bed shear stress is a fundamental variable in river studies to link ?ow conditions to sediment transport. It is, however, dif?cult to estimate this variable accurately, particularly in complex ?ow ?elds. This study compares shear stress estimated from the log pro?le, drag, Reynolds and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) approaches in a laboratory ?ume in a simple boundary layer, over plexiglas and over sand, and in a complex ?ow ?eld around de?ectors. Results show that in a simple boundary layer, the log pro?le estimate is always the highest. Over plexiglas, the TKE estimate was the second largest with a value 30 per cent less than the log estimate. However, over sand, the TKE estimate did not show the expected increase in shear stress. In a simple boundary layer, the Reynolds shear stress seems the most appropriate method, particularly the extrapolated value at the bed obtained from a turbulent pro?le. In a complex ?ow ?eld around de?ectors, the TKE method provided the best estimate of shear stress as it is not affected by local streamline variations and it takes into account the increased streamwise turbulent ?uctuations close to the de?ectors. It is suggested that when single‐point measurements are used to estimate shear stress, the instrument should be positioned close to 0·1 of the ?ow depth, which corresponds to the peak value height in pro?les of Reynolds and TKE shear stress. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monitoring alluvial sand suspension by eddy correlation

Eddy correlation techniques are standard tools in micrometeorology and oceanography to measure momentum and contaminant transport across turbulent boundary layers. They can, in theory, be used to estimate the net vertical suspended sediment flux directly over different areas of an alluvial channel boundary, and thus disclose ongoing erosion/deposition patterns. The basic principles and main problems in applying the technique to alluvial suspension are first introduced. Results from a trial application of the method in a large sand bed river are then presented; the focus of the analysis is on the substantial (and surprising) contributions of multi-minute flow fluctuations to suspension work in the study environment. The data were collected in a 10 m deep channel of the Fraser River near Mission, British Columbia, Canada. Turbulent fluctuations of flow components streamwise and normal to the bed, along with the output of an optical suspended sediment sensor, were monitored over 7 h, 1 m above the bed. Flow velocities averaged 0·9 ms^?1 and mean suspended sediment concentrations 500 mgl^?1, at sensor level above 1–5 dm high dunes. Spectral analysis of the records reveals that approximately 30 per cent of the vertical suspended sand mixing across the sensor level (and roughly as much of the momentum exchange) was linked to gradual flow oscillations with periods between 1 and 13·6 min (underlying briefer, turbulent fluctuations). Extended periods of sediment-rich, slightly upward directed but slower mean flow alternated with periods of sediment-poor, slightly downward and faster mean flow; these slow fluctuations involved 10–20 cms^?1 changes in 5 min average flow speed, 2–4· changes in vertical flow angle and 100 mgl^?1 changes in mean sand concentration. To obtain accurate eddy-correlation estimates of the vertical suspension flux in the study conditions, hour-scale flow and turbidity records that include many of these multi-minute cycles appear to be necessary. The spectra of the Fraser River near-bed signals do not conspicuously differ in overall shape (in terms of low-frequency content and location of peak) from turbulent spectra encountered in some atmospheric boundary layers. Nonetheless, the long period fluctuations observed on the Fraser River may not be turbulent; rather they may reflect slowly evolving perturbations in the near-bed streamlines, caused by bedform translation or gradual fluctuation within the large-scale streamwise cells of the secondary flow.     

Aeolian sediment flux decay: Non-linear behaviour on developing deflation lag surfaces

Wind tunnel simulations of the effect of non-erodible roughness elements on sediment transport show that the flux ratio q/q_s, shear velocity U*, and roughness density λ are co-dependent variables. Initially, the sediment flux is enhanced by kinetic energy retention in relatively elastic collisions that occur at the roughness element surfaces, but at the same time, the rising surface coverage of the immobile elements reduces the probability of grain ejection. A zone of strong shearing stress develops within 0·03 to 0·04 m of the rough bed because of a relative straightening of velocity profiles which are normally convex with saltation drag. This positive influence on fluid entrainment is opposed by declining shear stress partitioned to the sand bed. Similarly, because the free stream velocity U_f is fixed while U_* increases, velocity at height z and particle momentum gain from the airstream decline, leading eventually to lower numbers of particles ejected on average at each impact. When the ratio of the element basal area to frontal area σ is approximately equal to 3·5, secondary flow effects appear to become significant, so that the dimensionless aerodynamic roughness parameter Z₀/h and shear stress on the exposed sand bed T_s decrease. It is at this point that grain supply to the airstream and saltation drag appear to be significantly reduced, thereby intensifying the reduction in U_*. The zone of strong fluid shear near the bed dissipates.     

Development of the saltation system under controlled environmental conditions

The transport of sand by the wind occurs predominantly by the process of saltation. Following the entrainment of sand by an above threshold wind, the saltation system is regulated by the mutual interaction of the atmospheric boundary‐layer, the sand cloud and the sand bed. Despite existing data on the spatial and temporal development of the sand transport system, very little is known about the development of the saltation system towards equilibrium. Results are presented from wind‐tunnel experiments that were designed to address the simultaneous spatial and temporal development of the saltation system, with and without artificial sand feed. The development of the saltation system was monitored over a streamwise length of 8 m during a period of 3600 s. Mass flux data were measured simultaneously at 1 m intervals by the downwind deployment of seven Aarhus sand traps. Wind velocity data were collected throughout the experiments. The downwind spatial development of the saltation system is manifested by an overshoot in mass flux and friction velocity prior to declining towards a quasi‐equilibrium. Mass flux overshoots at approximately 4 m downwind, in remarkable agreement with existing data of a comparable scale. Friction velocity overshoots at approximately 6 m downwind, a result not previously witnessed in saltation studies. The overshoot of mass flux prior to the overshoot in friction velocity is a spatial manifestation of the time lag between the entrainment of grains and the deceleration of the wind by the grains in transport. Temporally, the development of the saltation system is controlled by the availability of entrainable grains from the sand bed. Through time the saltation system develops from a transport‐limited to a supply‐limited system. The depletion of the sand bed through time limits the appropriateness of the assumption of ‘equilibrium’ for the universal prediction of mass flux. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of saltating sediment on flow resistance and bed roughness in overland flow

The acceleration of saltating grains by overland flow causes momentum to be transferred from the flow to the grains, thereby increasing flow resistance and bed roughness. To assess the impact of saltating sediment on overland flow hydraulics, velocity profiles in transitional and turbulent flows on a fixed sand-covered bed were measured using hot-film anemometry. Five discharges were studied. At each discharge, three flows were measured: one free of sediment, one with a relatively low sediment load, and one with a relatively high sediment load. In these flows from 83 to 90 per cent of the sediment was travelling by saltation. As a result, in the sediment-laden flows the near-bed velocities were smaller and the velocity profiles steeper than those in the equivalent sediment-free flows. Sediment loads ranged up to 87·0 per cent of transport capacity and accounted for as much as 20·8 per cent of flow resistance (measured by the friction factor) and 89·7 per cent of bed roughness (measured by the ratio of the roughness length to median grain diameter). It is concluded that saltating sediment has a considerable impact on overland flow hydraulics, at least on fixed granular beds. Saltation is likely to have a relatively smaller effect on overland flow on natural hillslopes and agricultural fields where form and wave resistance dominate. Still, saltation is generally of greater significance in overland flow than in river flow, and for this reason its effect on overland flow hydraulics is deserving of further study. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reynolds stress and sand transport over a foredune

Reynolds shear stress (RS = –u′ w′) and sand transport patterns over a vegetated foredune are explored using three‐dimensional velocity data from ultrasonic anemometers (at 0 · 2 and 1 · 2 m) and sand transport intensity from laser particle counters (at 0 · 014 m). A mid‐latitude cyclone on 3–4 May 2010 generated storm‐force winds (exceeding 20 m s^–1) that shifted from offshore to obliquely alongshore. Quadrant analysis was used to characterize the spatial variation of RS quadrant components (Q1 through Q4) and their relative contributions were parameterized using the flow exuberance relation, EX_FL = (Q1 + Q3)/(Q2 + Q4). The magnitudes of RS and sand transport varied somewhat independently over the dune as controlled by topographic forcing effects on flow dynamics. A ‘flow exuberance effect’ was evident such that Q2 (ejection‐like) and Q4 (sweep‐like) quadrants (that contribute positively to RS) dominated on the beach, dune toe, and lower stoss, whereas Q1 and Q3 (that contribute negatively to RS) dominated near the crest. This exuberance effect was not expressed, however, in sand transport patterns. Instead, Q1 and Q4, with above‐average streamwise velocity fluctuations (+u′), were most frequently associated with sand transport. Q4 activity corresponded with most sand transport at the beach, toe, and stoss locations (52, 60, 100%). At the crest, 25 to 86% of transport was associated with Q1 while Q4 corresponded with most of the remaining transport (13 to 59%). Thus, the relationship between sand transport and RS is not as straightforward as in traditional equations that relate flux to stress in increasing fashion. Generally, RS was poorly associated with sand transport partly because Q1 and Q4 contributions offset each other in RS calculations. Thus, large amounts of transport can occur with small RS. Turbulent kinetic energy or Reynolds normal stresses (u′², w′²) may provide stronger associations with sand transport over dunes, although challenges exist on how to normalize and compare these quantities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of cryptogamic crust disturbance to wind erosion on sand and loam rangeland soils

A portable field wind tunnel was used to assess the sediment flux rates of loam and sand textured soils in the Mallee region of southeastern Australia. Three levels of crust disturbance (nil, moderate and severe) simulating stock trampling were investigated. The results demonstrated the importance of cryptogamic crusts in binding the soil surface and providing roughness after the soil was moderately disturbed. On the loamy soil, the crust helped maintain sediment flux rates below the erosion control target to 5 g m⁻¹ s⁻¹ for a 65 km h⁻¹ wind measured at 10 m height. Once the crust was severely disturbed, sediment fluxes increased to 1·6 times the erosion target. On the sandy soil, even with no crust disturbance the sediment flux was 1·6 times the erosion control target. Disturbing the crust increased sediment fluxes to a maximum of 6·7 times the erosion control target. Removal of the crust also decreased the threshold wind velocity that resulted in an increase to the risk of erosion from <5 per cent to 20 per cent. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large roughness element effects on sand transport,Oceano Dunes,California

The effect of large roughness elements on sand transport efficiency was evaluated on a coastal sand sheet by measuring sand flux with two types of sand traps [Big Spring Number Eight (BSNE) and the Cox Sand Catcher (CSC)] at 30 positions through a 100 m‐long × 50 m‐wide roughness array comprised of 210 elements each with the dimensions 1·17 m long × 0·4 m high × 0·6 m wide. The 210 elements were used to create a roughness density (λ) of 0·022 (λ = n bh/S, where n is the number of elements, b the element breadth, h the element height, and S is the area of the surface that contains all the elements) in an area of 5000 m². The mean normalized saltation flux (NSF) values (NSF = outgoing sand flux/incoming sand flux) at the furthest downwind distance for the two trap types were 0·44 and 0·41, respectively. This is in excellent agreement with an empirical model prediction of 0·5. The reduction in saltation flux is similar to an earlier separate study for an equivalent λ composed of elements of similar height (0·36 m), even though the roughness element forms were different (rectangular in this study as opposed to circular) as were the horizontal porosity of the arrays (49% versus 16%). This corroborates earlier results that roughness element height is a critical parameter that enhances reduction in sand transport by wind for similar λ configurations. The available data suggest the form of the relationship between transport reduction efficiency and height is likely a power relationship with two limiting conditions: (1) for elements ≤ 0·1 m high the effect is minimized, and (2) as element height matches and then exceeds the maximum height of the saltation layer (≥ 1 m), the effect will stabilize near a maximum of NSF ≈ 0·32. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Statistics and spectra of turbulence under different roughness in the near-neutral atmospheric surface layer

Accurate knowledge of the contacts between surface roughness and the resultant wind speed are important for climatic models, wind power meteorology, agriculture and erosion hazards especially on sand saltation in arid and semi-arid environments, where vegetation cover is scarce. In this study, synchronous measurements of three-dimensional wind speed below 5 m are carried out in three different surface roughness conditions in Minqin, China, and the difference in the turbulence statistics and the structure of the very large-scale motions (VLSMs) were revealed. The results show that the slope of the mean wind profile (MVP), the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and Reynolds stress increase with the surface roughness. The roughness seems to suppress the ejection events and the surface roughness will not only weaken the energy of the VLSMs, but also reduce the scale values of VLSMs near the wall. These influences may cause some changes regarding the dust transportation in streamwise and vertical directions during the sand and dust storm (SDS). That is, the decrease of the mean velocity near the ground will reduce the dust transportation in the streamwise direction and influence of the roughness on the ejection and sweep events will change the dust transportation in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the increase of roughness will weaken the scale and energy of VLSMs, which will lead to the decrease of the capacity of dust transportation. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulation and measurement of surface shear stress over isolated and closely spaced transverse dunes in a wind tunnel

Topographic interactions generate multidirectional and unsteady air?ow that limits the application of velocity pro?le approaches for estimating sediment transport over dunes. Results are presented from a series of wind tunnel simulations using Irwin‐type surface‐mounted pressure sensors to measure shear stress variability directly at the surface over both isolated and closely spaced sharp‐crested model dunes. Findings complement existing theories on secondary air?ow effects on stoss transport dynamics and provide new information on the in?uence of lee‐side air?ow patterns on dune morphodynamics. For all speeds investigated, turbulent unsteadiness at the dune toe indicates a greater, more variable surface shear, despite a signi?cant drop in time‐averaged measurements of streamwise shear stress at this location. This effect is believed suf?cient to inhibit sediment deposition at the toe and may be responsible for documented intermittency in sand transport in the toe region. On the stoss slope, streamline compression and ?ow acceleration cause an increase in ?ow steadiness and shear stress to a maximum at the crest that is double that at the toe of the isolated dune and 60–70 per cent greater than at ?ow reattachment on the lower stoss of closely spaced dunes. Streamwise ?ow accelerations, rather than turbulence, have greater in?uence on stress generation on the stoss and this effect increases with stoss slope distance and with incident wind speed. Reversed ?ow within the separation cell generates signi?cant surface shear (30–40 per cent of maximum values) for both spacings. This supports ?eld studies that suggest reversed ?ow is competent enough to return sediment to the dune directly or in a de?ected direction. High variability in shear at reattachment indicates impact of a turbulent shear layer that, despite low values of time‐averaged streamwise stress in this region, would inhibit sediment accumulation. Downwind of reattachment, shear stress and ?ow steadiness increase within 6 h (h = dune height) of reattachment and approach upwind values by 25 h. A distance of at least 30 h is suggested for full boundary layer recovery, which is comparable to ?uvial estimates. The Irwin sensor used in this study provides a reliable means to measure skin friction force responsible for sand transport and its robust, simple, and cost‐effective design shows promise for validating these ?ndings in natural dune settings. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Particle velocity and concentration profiles in bedload experiments on a steep slope

Depth profiles of particle streamwise velocity, concentration and bedload sediment transport rate were measured in a turbulent and supercritical water flow. One‐size 6 mm diameter spherical glass beads were transported at equilibrium in a two‐dimensional 10% steep channel with a mobile bed. Flows were filmed from the side by a high‐speed camera. Particle tracking algorithms made it possible to determine the position, velocity and trajectory of a very large number of particles. Approximately half of the sediment transport rate was composed by rolling grains, and the other half by saltation. This revealed a complex structure, with several concentration and flux peaks due to rolling, and one peak due to saltation. With an increase of the sediment transport rate, the depth structure remained the same at the water/granular interface, with peak value increases but with no shift in elevations. The saltation region expanded towards higher elevations with an increase of the particle velocity commensurate to the water velocity. The proportion of the sediment transport rate in saltation did not vary significantly. The particle streamwise velocity profiles exhibited three segments: an exponential decay in the bed, a linear increase where rolling and saltation co‐existed, and above this, a logarithmic‐like shape due to saltating particles. These results are comparable to profiles measured and modelled in dry granular free surface flows and in more intense bedload such as sheet flows. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modeling the effect of saltation on surface layer turbulence

Particle–turbulence interaction has been a research focus in the field of pneumatic transport, especially in aeolian environments. However, knowledge regarding the effect of saltating particles on the turbulence characteristics is very limited. In this article, a process of sand-laden flow from forming sand streamers to stability is investigated via a coupled mathematical model of wind-blown sand that includes the spatiotemporal development. The variations in the turbulence characteristics, such as the mean velocity and turbulence intensity in clean air or sand-laden flow field, are analyzed. The results show that the splash process of sand grains near the wall decrease the wind speed in the saltation layer and destroy the low-speed streaks. Moreover, the profiles of streamwise turbulence intensity exhibit a transition from ‘decreasing’ to ‘increasing’ and approximately intersect at an ‘intensity focus’, which is presented for the first time. Furthermore, it was found that saltating particles could enhance the Reynolds stress. Meanwhile, it was also noticed that the shear stress at the wall surface is greater than the impact threshold and that there is a tendency towards the impact threshold. Therefore, saltation makes the particle Reynolds number of sand-laden flow higher than that under non-saltation conditions, thus changing the particles’ effect on the turbulence intensity. Gravity-dominated saltation is probably the most essential difference between wind-blown sand and other traditional two-phase flows. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of vegetation cover on sand transport by wind: field studies at Owens Lake,California

Field studies conducted at Owens Lake, California, provide direct measurements of sand flux on sand sheets with zero to 20 per cent cover of salt grass. Results from 12 different sand transport events show that aerodynamic roughness length and threshold wind shear velocity increase with vegetation cover as measured by vertically projected cover and roughness density (λ). This results in a negative exponential decrease in sediment flux with increasing vegetation cover such that sand transport is effectively eliminated when the vertically projected cover of salt grass is greater than 15 per cent. A general empirical model for the relation between sand flux and vegetation cover has been derived and can be used to predict the amount of vegetation required to stabilize sand dune areas. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental investigation of the impacts of coherent flow structures upon turbulence properties in regions of crescentic scour

This study examines the spatial distributions of third‐order moments of velocity fluctuations, the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) fluxes, and the conditional statistics of Reynolds shear stress across the equilibrium crescentic scour structures generated upstream of short horizontal static cylinders. Detailed velocity data were collected using three‐dimensional (3D) micro‐acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) across and within the equilibrium scour marks. The analysis reveals that the positive and negative values of third‐order moments associated with the level bed surface and the scour holes are directly related to coherent structures. The components of TKE flux are discussed for the near‐bed region of the level bed surface and scour holes in relation to sweep–ejection events. A cumulant‐discard method is applied to the Gram‐Charlier probability distribution of two variables to describe the statistical properties of the term u′w′. The conditional statistics of the Reynolds shear stress show a good agreement with the experimental data. The distribution of the joint probability density function in the near‐bed region changes cyclically along the scour hole depending on the bottom fluid velocity, which implies a change from upward to downward flux of momentum and vice versa. Both the ejection and sweep events at near‐bed points on the level surface are more important than within the scour region; and in contrast, both events are stronger for the scour marks than the level bed surface at the outer layer. Sweeps dominate over ejections for the scour hole induced by smaller diameter and ejections dominate for larger diameter. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aeolian mass transport near the saltation threshold

Aeolian mass transport was investigated in a desert field experiment where the wind speeds were near the saltation threshold. Bed transport was observed during 45 min runs even though the calculated values of bed shear stress using conventional laboratory equations for mass transport predicted that there should be no transport. We therefore investigated the possibility of predicting mass transport using quasi-instantaneous wind speeds, i.e. values derived at a time scale similar to that of the saltation process. Quasi-instantaneous wind speeds are able to predict mass transport associated with the stronger gusts. Predicted mass transport values compare fairly well with observation, but the accuracy of the prediction is very sensitive to correct estimation of the surface roughness and the saltation threshold for the particular sand bed. When these values differ by only 10 percent from the values that optimize the estimation, predicted mass transport can differ by up to ±50 per cent. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Time-dependent Moisture Content of Surface Sediments on Aeolian Transport Rates Across a Beach,Wildwood, New Jersey,U.S.A.

A one-day field investigation on an unvegetated backbeach documents the importance of surface sediment drying to aeolian transport. Surface sediments were well sorted fine sand. Moisture content of samples taken in the moist areas on the backbeach varied from 2·9 to 9·2 per cent. Lack of dry sediment inhibited transport prior to 08:50. By 09:10 conspicuous streamers of dry sand moved across the moist surface. Barchan-shaped bedforms, 30 to 40 mm high and composed of dry sand (moisture content <0·10 per cent), formed where sand streamers converged. The surface composed of dry sand increased from 5 per cent of the area of the backbeach at 09:50 to 90 per cent by 12:50 Mean wind speeds were beetween 5·6 and 8·6 m s⁻¹ at 6 m above the backbeach. Corresponding shear velocities were always above the entrainment threshold for dry sand and below the threshold for the moist sand on the backbeach. Measured rates of sand trapped (by vertical cylindrical traps) increased during the day relative to calculated rates. The measured rate of sand trapped on the moist foreshore was higher than the rate trapped on the backbeach during the same interval, indicating that the moist foreshore (moisture content 18 per cent) was an efficient transport surface for sediment delivered from the dry portion of the beach upwind. Measured rates of sand trapped show no clear relationship to shear velocities unless time-dependent surface moisture content is considered. Results document conditions that describe transport across moist surfaces in terms of four stages including: (1) entrainment of moist sediment from a moist surface; (2) in situ drying of surface grains from a moist surface followed by transport across the surface; (3) entrainment and transport of dry sediment from bedforms that have accumulated on the moist surface; and (4) entrainment of sand from a dry upwind source and transport across a moist downwind surface. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bedload transport resistance in rough open‐channel flows

During bedload movement by saltation, streamwise momentum is transferred from the ?ow to the saltating grains. When the grains collide with other grains on the bed or in the ?ow, streamwise momentum is reduced, and there is a decrease in streamwise ?ow velocity and an increase in ?ow resistance, herein termed bedload transport resistance f_bt. Based on experiments in two ?umes with ?xed and mobile plane beds and previously published data, an equation is developed that may be used to predict f_bt for both capacity and non‐capacity ?ows. The variables in this equation are identi?ed by dimensional analysis and the coef?cients are determined by non‐linear regression. This equation applies to rough turbulent open‐channel ?ows, where the relative submergence is between 1 and 20 and the entire sediment load moves by saltation. An investigation of the relative magnitudes of f_bt and grain resistance f_c suggests that where dimensionless shear stress θ is less than 1 and saltation is the dominant mode of bedload transport, f_bt/f_c increases with θ but never exceeds 1. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Crust strength: a wind tunnel study of the effect of impact by saltating particles on cohesive soil surfaces

A wind tunnel study examined the effect of distributions of saltating particles on sediment surfaces which were characterized by distributions of their tensile strength. The sediments consisted of varying proportions of large sand‐sized particles with a fine particle cement. The energies of the impacting particles and the surface strengths were compared with the mass of material lost from the surface. It is important to consider distributions of parameters rather than mean values only, since abrasion and erosion may occur from surfaces not predicted from average strength and saltation velocities. At the impact velocities used in this study (mean velocity 4·4 m s^?1, with standard deviation of 0·51), surfaces containing less than 12 per cent fine material were easily eroded, but insignificant erosion occurred when the fine particle content exceeded 60 per cent. Small amounts of cementing material were easily ruptured, allowing the large sand grains to be moved (largely in creep) by the bombarding particles. A significant amount of energy was lost to the bed. As the percentage of fine material increased, the surface became more difficult to break up and less energy was lost to the bed. The probability that erosion will occur for known energy distributions of impacting particles and surface strength can be calculated and the mass loss increases exponentially with a decrease in the percentage of fine cementing particles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study of rill bank collapse

Rill bank collapse is an important component in the adjustment of channel morphology to changes in discharge and sediment flux. Sediment inputs from bank collapse cause abrupt changes in flow resistance, flow patterns and downstream sediment concentrations. Generally, bank retreat involves gradual lateral erosion, caused by flow shear stress, and sudden bank collapse, triggered by complex interactions between channel flow and bank and soil water conditions. Collapse occurs when bank height exceeds the critical height where gravitational forces overcome soil shear strength. An experimental study examined conditions for collapse in eroding rill channels. Experiments with and without a deep water table were carried out on a meandering rill channel in a loamy sand and sandy loam in a laboratory flume under simulated rainfall and controlled runon. Different discharges were used to initiate knickpoint and rill incision. Soil water dynamics were monitored using microstandpipes, tensiometers and time domain reflectometer probes (TDR probes). Bank collapse occurred with newly developed or rising pre‐existing water tables near rill banks, associated with knickpoint migration. Knickpoint scour increased effective bank height, caused positive pore water pressure in the bank toe and reduced negative pore pressures in the unsaturated zone to near zero. Matric tension in unsaturated parts of the bank and a surface seal on the ‘interrill’ zone behind the bank enhanced stability, while increased effective bank height and positive pore water pressure at the bank toe caused instability. With soil water contents >35 per cent (sandy loam) and >23 per cent (loamy sand), critical bank heights were 0·11–0·12 m and 0·06–0·07 m, respectively. Bank toe undercutting at the outside of the rill bends also triggered instability. Bank displacement was quite different on the two soils. On the loamy sand, the failed block slid to the channel bed, revealing only the upper half of the failure plane, while on the sandy loam the failed block toppled forwards, exposing the failure plane for the complete bank height. This study has shown that it is possible to predict location, frequency and magnitude of the rill bank collapse, providing a basis for incorporation into predictive models for hillslope soil loss or rill network development. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.