River response to channel regulation: Case study of the Raba river,Carpathians, Poland

Processes induced by the channelization of the Raba River in the present century are examined to illustrate the response of a gravel-bed stream following narrowing and straightening of its channel. Up to 3 m of incision has occurred. The change from a slow and relatively steady degradation in the lower reaches to separate degradation events in the higher reaches is attributed to the differential rate of headcut retreat and to the control exerted by mid-channel bars upon the rate of river-energy dissipation. Progressive outwashing of finer grains from bed material has followed the diminishing sediment yield of the basin and the increase in stream power. The ensuing growth in mean grain size and changes in sediment fabric have increased boundary resistance to flow and reduced particle susceptibility to entrainment. Downstream magnification of peak discharges has become increasingly pronounced with the advancing incision. The decrease in flood-plain storage and self-acceleration of flows passing the relatively deep and straight channel has caused flood waves to become progressively more flashy in nature. An increase in channel depth and reduction in gradient caused by downward and backward erosion, as well as bed material coarsening has promoted the re-establishment of an equilibrium. Conversely, flow velocity increases due to flow concentration in the deepened channel. Reduction in grain mobility allows the river to attain a new equilibrium at flow-velocity and stream-power levels higher than before the channelization. Numerous disadvantages of the applied regulation scheme and its failure to reduce flood hazard raise the question of its maintenance. To be successful, any regulation design must take into account changes in sediment supply and flood hydrographs resulting from the simultaneous alterations in basin management.     

An experimental study on using MR damper to mitigate longitudinal seismic response of a suspension bridge

In this paper, the seismic response reduction performance of magnetorheological (MR) damper is experimentally investigated for a suspension bridge. First, the force–displacement and force–velocity curves under a range of excitation frequencies, amplitudes and currents are obtained by mechanical behavior test of the RD1097 type MR damper. Then a new non-linear hysteretic model is proposed to model the mechanical behavior of the MR damper and the model parameters are identified from test data. An experimental method, as well as a set of testing setups with the MR damper for longitudinal seismic response reduction of a SDOF generalized system representing the fundamental longitudinal mode of suspension bridge, is developed. Finally, the seismic response reduction experiment subject to three kinds of earthquake excitations, including the Pingsheng Bridge earthquake wave, the El-Centro wave and the Taft wave, is carried out, and nine control cases, including uncontrolled, six passive control schemes with different input currents and two semi-active Bang–Bang control schemes, are tested. The results verify that the seismic response reduction experimental method is feasible and the good performance of seismic longitudinal response reduction of the suspension bridge can be achieved by MR damper. It is also shown that the passive control with optimum input current outperforms the semi-active Bang–Bang controls.     

Effect of reservoir construction on suspended sediment load in a large river system: thresholds and complex response

Dam construction greatly alters the channel boundary of rivers, making the dammed river system a human‐controlled system. Based on hydrometric data in the upper Changjiang River basin, the change in behaviour of sediment transport of some dammed rivers was studied. As a result, some phenomena of threshold and complex response were found. When the coefficient (C_r,a) of actual runoff regulation by reservoirs, defined as the ratio of total capacity of reservoirs to annual runoff input, is smaller than 10%, suspended sediment load at Yichang station, the control station of the Changjiang River, shows a mild decreasing trend. When this coefficient becomes larger than 10%, suspended sediment load decreases sharply. The coefficient of 10% can be regarded as a threshold. The C_r,a of 10% is also a threshold, when the variation of suspended sediment concentration (SSC) with C_r,a at Yichang station is considered. The impacts of reservoir construction can be divided into several stages, including road construction, dam building and closure, water storage and sediment trapping. During these stages, some complex response was identified. At the station below the dam, SSC increases and reaches a maximum, and then declines sharply. This phenomenon was found on the main‐stem and several major tributaries of the upper Changjiang River. In the Minjiang River, where a series of dams were built successively, the response of SSC is more complicated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Variability of bedload transport and channel morphology in a braided river hydraulic model

This paper investigates variability in bedload transport and channel morphology for 11 replicate experimental runs in an approximately 1:50 braided river model. The experiments, each of 90 h duration, were carried out in a 20 × 3m tilting flume. All the experiments started with the same initial conditions. Bedload transport was measured at 5 min intervals in a collection drum at the exit from the flume. The model showed reasonable hydraulic similarity when compared to prototype rivers. Results show that mean bedload transport rates for the 11 runs vary in the range 0·98 to 1·49gs^?1 (mean + 1·21, coefficient of variation 11 per cent). Within-run transport rates commonly vary from close to zero, to two and occasionally three or four times the mean rate. Within the bedload series, several irregular phases of transport intensity can be observed, but time series analysis of the data show little underlying serial structure (an AR(2) autoregressive model is appropriate). Channel patterns are narrow/braided, are established quickly and remain relatively stable throughout the runs, although channel widths increase between 20 and 103 per cent over the 11 runs. Channel behaviour varies from aggradational to transitional between aggradation and degradation. Time-averaged bedload transport rate is weakly correlated with braiding intensity. In general, these results demonstrate that for a given set of controlling variables, bedload transport and channel morphology can be approximately replicated.     

Evolution of a bifurcation in a meandering river with adjustable channel widths,Rhine delta apex,The Netherlands

Rivers may dramatically change course on a fluvial plain. Such an avulsion temporarily leads to two active channels connected at a bifurcation. Here we study the effect of dynamic meandering at the bifurcation and the effect of channel width adjustment to changing discharge in both downstream branches on the evolution of a bifurcation and coexisting channels. As an example, we reconstructed the last major avulsion at the Rhine delta apex. We combined historical and geological data to reconstruct a slowly developing avulsion process spanning 2000 years and involving channel width adjustment and meandering at the bifurcation. Based on earlier idealised models, we developed a one‐dimensional model for long‐term morphodynamic prediction of upstream channel and bifurcates connected at the bifurcation node. The model predicts flow and sediment partitioning at the node, including the effect of migrating meanders at the bifurcation and channel width adjustment. Bifurcate channel width adaptation to changing discharge partitioning dramatically slows the pacing of bifurcation evolution because the sediment balance for width adjustment and bed evolution are coupled. The model further shows that meandering at the bifurcation modulates channel abandonment or enlargement periodically. This explains hitherto unrecognised reactivation signals in the sedimentary record of the studied bifurcation meander belts, newly identified in our geological reconstruction. Historical maps show that bifurcation migration due to meander bend dynamics increases the bifurcation angle, which increases the rate of closure of one bifurcate. The combination of model and reconstruction identifies the relevant timescales for bifurcation evolution and avulsion duration. These are the time required to fill one downstream channel over one backwater length, the time to translate one meander wavelength downstream and, for strong river banks, the adaptation timescale to adjust channel width. The findings have relevance for all avulsions where channel width can adjust to changing discharge and where meandering occurs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response control of a complex structure using multiple MR dampers： experimental investigation

This paper presents an experimental investigation on semi-active seismic response control of a multistory building with a podium structure using multiple magnetorheological (MR) dampers manipulated by a logic control algorithm. The experiments are performed in three phases on a seismic simulator with a slender 12-story building model representing a multi-story building and a relatively stiff 3-story building model typifying a podium structure. The first phase of the investigation is to assess control performance of using three MR dampers to link the 3-story building to the 12-story building, in which seismic responses of the controlled two buildings are compared with those of the two buildings without any connection and with rigid connection. The second phase is to investigate reliability of the semi-active control system and robustness of the logic control algorithm when 2 out of 3 MR dampers fail and when the electricity supply to MR dampers is completely stopped. The last phase is to examine sensitivity of semi-active control performance of two buildings to change in ground excitation. The experimental results show that multiple MR dampers with the logic control algorithm can achieve a significant reduction in seismic responses of both buildings. The proposed semi-active control system is of high reliability and good robustness.     

An experimental study of water table recharge by seepage losses from a ditch with intermittent flow

Farmed catchments in the Mediterranean area often exhibit dense networks of ditches which are also preferential zones of water table recharge, and thereby of groundwater contamination. This study presents an experimental analysis of seepage losses and related groundwater recharge patterns during a typical Mediterranean runoff event at the scale of a ditch located above a shallow water table. The objectives were (i) to evaluate the patterns of water table recharge by seepage in a ditch, (ii) to study the main flow processes occurring during recharge, and (iii) to estimate solute propagation in case of contaminated flow in the ditch. The field observation indicated three major points. Firstly, they showed that seepage losses during a runoff event in a ditch can rapidly lead to a significant recharge of a shallow water table. Secondly, the recharge induces a groundwater mound much larger than the event plume. The infiltrated water and the accompanying solutes remained in the vicinity of the ditch. The patterns of groundwater recharge and contamination appeared very different. Lastly, both unsaturated and saturated‐piston flow processes were observed which suggests that a variably‐saturated flow modelling approach ought to be used to simulate the ditch‐water shallow table interaction. Finally, the study indicates that the patterns of water table recharge and contamination in Mediterranean catchments with dense ditches network vary largely in space and time, and will require dense monitoring networks to estimate the evolution of the average contamination levels. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a thresholds approach for real‐time flash flood prediction in complex geomorphological river basins

Flash floods represent one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters worldwide. The hydrological analysis of a flash flood event contributes in the understanding of the runoff creation process. This study presents the analysis of some flash flood events that took place in a complex geomorphological Mediterranean River basin. The objective of the present work is to develop the thresholds for a real‐time flash flood forecasting model in a complex geomorphological watershed, based on high‐frequency data from strategically located hydrological and meteorological telemetric stations. These stations provide hourly real‐time data which were used to determine hydrological and meteorological parameters. The main characteristics of various hydrographs specified in this study were the runoff coefficients, lag time, time to peak, and the maximum potential retention. The estimation of these hydrometeorological parameters provides the necessary information in order to successfully manage flash floods events. Especially, the time to peak is the most significant hydrological parameter that affects the response time of an oncoming flash flood event. A study of the above parameters is essential for the specification of thresholds which are related to the geomorphological characteristics of the river basin, the rainfall accumulation of an event, the rainfall intensity, the threshold runoff through karstic area, the season during which the rainfall takes place and the time intervals between the rainstorms that affect the soil moisture conditions. All these factors are combined into a real‐time‐threshold flash flood prediction model. Historical flash flood events at the downstream are also used for the validation of the model. An application of the proposed model is presented for the Koiliaris River basin in Crete, Greece. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effects of hydrological factors on river suspended solids contamination from a colliery in South Wales

Suspended solids contamination caused by runoff below a working colliery in the Upper Clydach catchment in South Wales, U.K., was investigated in relation to hydrological controls. Field studies over a 16 month period found that concentrations below the colliery ranged from 4 to 8028 mg 1^?1. Simple correlation and linear regression analysis of spot and storm event samples taken below the colliery gave a correlation coefficient of 0·39 between flow and suspended solids concentration. Because of the lack of explained variance, a multiple linear regression model of within-storm concentrations was derived using four selected independent variables. X₁ the time relation of the sample to the storm peak; log X₂ the stormflow at the time of sampling; log X₃ the baseflow at the time of sampling; and log X₄ an index of the storm intensity. Analysis of the entire dataset gave an R² of 0·34. When the results from three atypical events were excluded however, the R² value improved to 0·65. Beta coefficients indicated that rising limb conditions (X₁) and intense storms (log X₄) along with dry antecedent conditions (log X₃) represent the worst combination of hydrological factors for producing suspended solids contamination.     

A study of channel changes in a reach of the North Nashwaaksis stream,New Brunswick,Canada

Repeated surveys of a short channelized reach of the North Nashwaaksis Stream near Fredericton, N.B. over the period 1971-1981 provide the basis for evaluating the type and magnitude of some physical and botanical changes in the study reach. In 1967 a 200 m reach of the stream was shortened by about 10 per cent by cutting a new channel through a pasture. The original channel was protected by a dense growth of shrubs along its banks. The average width of the top of the channel in the channelized reach widened from 11 m to 17 m in response to a major flood in 1973. Rough estimates indicate that as much as 78 per cent of the published suspended-sediment load associated with the flood could reasonably have been derived from the banks in this short channelized reach. During the 1973 flood, a mid-channel bar was formed in the portion of the channel which experienced the most widening. Subsequent to the flood, the mid-channel bar was first colonized by sedges, and then by alders. By 1981, the width of the low flow channel in the channelized reach was about the same as that for the unmodified upstream reaches. This case study provides useful information for those planning channelization projects on small to intermediate size streams in humid temperate areas.     

Optimization of spread configuration for seismic data acquisition through numerical modeling in tectonically complex areas: a case study from Badarpur anticline, Cachar, India

Cachar area, a part of the Assam–Arakan frontal fold belt in the eastern part of India is characterized by a series of narrow anticlines which are dissected by a number of faults including thrusts, and broad synclines. Out of several exposed structures, Badarpur anticline is most important because of its major share of hydrocarbon strikes in Cachar. However, the seismic image of this area so far has been extremely poor for deciding locations for exploratory drilling. The problems in obtaining a good seismic image in this area include proper spread configuration including far and near offsets to capture reflected signals from the complex subsurface, variation of charge-sizes and depths along a line, large variation in statics due to rapid changes in elevation and near surface properties. The presence of coherent noise due to scattering and proper migration are major processing problems. This paper deals with the problem of spread configuration. For areas of complex subsurface, spread configuration obtained through field experiment at one spot may be quite different from other spots, requiring a large number of costly experiments. In this work, therefore, we used numerical modeling to derive an optimum spread configuration. For this, we chose a line passing through four wells on Badarpur anticline, and prepared a depth model using available seismic, surface geological and well data. Continuous synthetic common shot records were generated through oblique incidence ray tracing and were processed to obtain stacks with various spread configurations. Comparison of these stacks of synthetic data shows that end-on shooting configuration is inadequate for acquiring a good seismic image of the complex subsurface. From the present study it is evident that a split–spread configuration with near and far offsets of 50 m and 2400 m, respectively, can bring out optimum seismic images in Badarpur and other anticlines in this area.     

An experimental and numerical investigation on the cyclic response of a portal frame pier belonging to an old reinforced concrete viaduct

This paper deals with the assessment of the seismic response of a portal frame pier belonging to an old reinforced concrete viaduct. A series of tests, consisting of cyclically imposed displacements, were carried out on three 1:4 scale mock‐ups. The objective of the experimental campaign is twofold: (1) identification and evaluation of the local failure mechanisms and (2) calibration of a numerical model including all observed nonlinear phenomena. The experimental results show that the shear strength of the transverse beam and of the beam–column joints characterizes the post‐elastic behavior of the piers. Other phenomena, like bond‐slip and buckling of the longitudinal bars of the columns, typical of old reinforced concrete structures have also been observed. Finally, a numerical model, built in OpenSEES, was calibrated to reproduce in a satisfactory way the experimental results and to provide a reliable tool for the evaluation of the seismic response of the pier. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental study of the dynamic features of shadow areas of caustics in response to loading/unloading fracture

IntroductionCHEN (1981), GENG, et al (1980), YAO (1981) and others have found out that different stress paths can lead to fracture. They have further studied the precursory features of wave velocity ratio, acoustic emission, and so on, in this situation. YIN (1987), YIN and YIN (1991), Yin, et al (1994, 1995, 2000) have put forward the concept of loading-unloading response ratio. When a mechanical test system is in a stable state, the path of its response to loading is the same as that…     

An assessment of engineered log jam structures in response to a flood event in an upland gravel‐bed river

Engineered log jams (ELJs) are employed to address river restoration goals and a range of river management problems including coarse sediment movement. In the Bowmont Water, a dynamic wandering gravel‐bed river in the Scottish Borders, 33 previously untested ELJs primarily designed to capture and store coarse sediment, were installed on a trial basis. Using repeated topographical surveys and field observations, the performance of the ELJs in response to a 5–10 year recurrence interval flood that occurred on the 25 September 2012 was evaluated at two reaches with catchment areas of 28 km² and 57 km². Three of the structures were damaged due to scour of surrounding material that exposed the pile anchors and all the timbers of one structure were completely displaced downstream. Sixteen structures induced geomorphic responses and only four induced significant deposition (>0.3 m) above that which would occur naturally within the adjacent active gravel bar deposition zones. The placement in gravel bars, minor channel blockage ratio created by the structures and their porous nature limited the hydraulic interference and in turn geomorphic responses. Therefore the ELJ placement goal of increasing sediment storage was not fully met. This study contributes to the empirical evidence base for ELJ performance evaluation of different designs in a range of physiographic settings needed to validate performance and refine design. Using these initial findings and knowledge gained from other studies, recommendations for improving the design and placement strategy are proposed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental study of dispersion of an interactive tracer in chemically heterogeneous medium at a column scale

This paper aims at examining the increase of phenol adsorption breakthrough curves spreading caused by the chemical heterogeneity of granular activated carbon fixed beds. The local and the thermodynamic equilibrium assumption, as well as the nonlinear adsorption obeying to Langmuir isotherm, are considered. This study particularly tempts to link the reduced variance of phenol breakthrough curves to a measurable quantifying parameter of the chemical heterogeneity. The investigated artificial heterogeneous media are prepared by alternating layers of two types of granular activated carbon, active and non-active ones, that have similar physical properties. On the one hand, the chemical heterogeneity is quantified by the active layer relative thickness of the column length, l₁/L. On the other hand, it is quantified by the mean value of the probability distribution γ. The latter also represents the mean active grains mass ratio of the total medium mass, hence the medium mean capacity. The obtained results show an increase in the reduced variance and thus the effective global dispersion with the heterogeneity; the increase is as important as the medium capacity decreases. However, the dispersion increase achieves a limit value, even when the heterogeneity increases. The results are statistically modelled using a regression equation function of the capacity variation in terms of γ and the chemical heterogeneity in terms of l₁/L. The relationship combining the medium capacity and the chemical heterogeneity is obtained. The relationship implicitly takes into account the effect of the column length.     

The effects of nutrients and zooplankton community structure on phytoplankton growth in a subtropical Australian reservoir: An enclosure study

Patterns of zooplankton–phytoplankton interactions in subtropical lakes of the Southern Hemisphere may deviate from those established for north-temperate lakes. We tested the responses of phytoplankton growth to different community structures of zooplankton and nutrient enrichment in a subtropical Australian reservoir for the prediction of potential outcomes of lake biomanipulation. Two zooplankton communities were created in lake enclosures over 4 weeks: a rotifer-dominated community developed in the presence of planktivorous fish (Hypseleotris spp.) and a Ceriodaphnia-dominated community developed in the absence of fish. Biomass gradients of both communities were established in 20 L containers and several separate containers received no additions (controls) or were enriched with nitrogen and/or phosphorus. The growth rate of total phytoplankton significantly increased in response to nutrient enrichment, indicating nutrient limitation. Most phytoplankton taxa were not markedly affected by grazing of either zooplankton community. However, both communities had significant stimulatory effects on the growth of inedible chlorophytes. The ability of zooplankton grazing to negatively affect phytoplankton growth during the summer was counteracted regardless of zooplankton community structure, possibly by nutrients regenerated by zooplankton. We hypothesise that in the subtropical system studied, changes in food web nutrient recycling may be more important for the outcome of biomanipulation than grazing impacts.     

不同孔隙流体下延长组砂岩波速各向异性的实验研究

利用Autolab 2000岩石物性测试设备,在0~200 MPa及三种不同孔隙流体条件下（干燥、水饱和及油饱和）研究了三种来自延长油田延长组的砂岩沿平行和垂直层面两个方向（即H和V）的纵波、横波速度,并分别计算了这些弹性波速的各向异性系数.结果表明：三种砂岩Y1、Y2和Y3两个方向上的VP、VSH和VSV均随围压增加而基本呈对数函数形式变化,且纵波饱油曲线的斜率远大于饱水;Y1、Y2砂岩H方向的VP、VSH和VSV在干燥、饱水和饱油条件下基本上均大于对应的V方向的波速;干燥、饱水和饱油条件下Y1、Y2的波速各向异性系数ε、γ和ζ和围压之间呈指数或二次函数降低;Y1、Y2、Y3三个岩样之间的速度各向异性差异明显,以Y2的各向异性最显著,其次是Y1,而Y3基本没有各向异性.另外,Y1、Y2的各向异性系数ε、γ和ζ之间表现出明显的与压力和流体状态相关性,且在实验压力范围内,饱油条件下的ε、γ均大于对应的饱水条件.实验结果可以为该地区地震资料的解释、油水层划分及与声波测井之间的对比提供重要的基础数据.