Turbulence in mobile-bed streams

This study is devoted to quantify the near-bed turbulence parameters in mobile-bed flows with bed-load transport. A reduction in near-bed velocity fluctuations due to the decrease of flow velocity relative to particle velocity of the transporting particles results in an excessive near-bed damping in Reynolds shear stress (RSS) distributions. The bed particles are associated with the momentum provided from the flow to maintain their motion overcoming the bed resistance. It leads to a reduction in RSS magnitude over the entire flow depth. In the logarithmic law, the von Kármán coefficient decreases in presence of bed-load transport. The turbulent kinetic energy budget reveals that for the bed-load transport, the pressure energy diffusion rate near the bed changes sharply to a negative magnitude, implying a gain in turbulence production. According to the quadrant analysis, sweep events in mobile-bed flows are the principal mechanism of bed-load transport. The universal probability density functions for turbulence parameters given by Bose and Dey have been successfully applied in mobile-bed flows.     

Analytical approach for predicting local scour downstream of submerged sluice gate with an apron

A new analytical method was evaluated for predicting scour profile downstream of a submerged sluice gate with an apron. The differential equations between bed Shear stress and Scour profile Curvature(SSC model) were utilized to predict the scour profile in both temporal and equilibrium stages. A jet momentum flux was considered as an external source of erosion on a hypothetical particle ring as the boundary between the flow and sediment bed. The scour length and sediment resistance factor were t...     

A) A. I. H. S. / A) I. A. S. H.

SUMMARY

Basing their studies on an extended Reynolds principle of similarity, the authors present in this paper a thorough theoretical investigation of the turbulent flow in pipes.

Making appropriate assumptions regarding the distribution of the turbulent apparent viscosity over the entire pipe diameter, the well-known discharge formulas, i. e. the resistance laws, of Prandtl-V. Kármán for the hydraulically smooth and the hydraulically rough region, and of Colebrook for the transition region—the accuracy of these being well established by measurements—can be clearly shown to be correct.

Thus it is also possible to determine the velocity distribution in the region near the wall for the hydraulically smooth region and the transition region, as well as for the hydraulically rough region.

The concept, that the flow with a fully developed roughness effect begins when the laminar boundary layer at the wall disappears can be seen to be in close agreement with the asssumptions made. The limits which were established for the hydraulically rough region and the transition region correspond well with the curve plotted by PRANDTL and the boundary curve of Rouse.     

Velocity and attenuation in partially saturated rocks: poroelastic numerical experiments

We use a poroelastic modelling algorithm to compute numerical experiments on wave propagation in a rock sample with partial saturation using realistic fluid distribution patterns from tomography scans. Frequencies are in the range 10 to 500 kHz. The rock is a homogeneous isotropic sandstone partially filled with gas and water, which are defined by their characteristic values of viscosity, compressibility and density. We assume no mixing and that the two different pore-fills occupy different macroscopic regions. The von Kármán self-similar correlation function is used, employing different fractal parameters to model uniform and patchy fluid distributions, respectively, where effective saturation is varied in steps from full gas to full water saturation. Without resorting to additional matrix–fluid interaction mechanisms, we are able to reproduce the main features of the variation in wave velocity and attenuation with effective saturation and frequency, as those of published laboratory experiments. Furthermore, the behaviour of the attenuation peaks versus water saturation and frequency is similar to that of White's model. The conversion of primary P-wave energy into dissipating slow waves at the heterogeneities is shown to be the main mechanism for attenuating the primary wavefield. Fluid/gas patches are shown to affect attenuation more than equivalent patches in the permeability or solid-grain properties.     

Seismic characterization of hyperconcentrated flows in a volcanic environment

We present direct observations and monitoring data of a hyperconcentrated flow that occurred along La Lumbre ravine, one of the most active channels of Volcán de Colima in Mexico. Flow properties were inferred from video images and seismic data recorded by a geophone installed outside the channel. We collected flow samples 400 m upstream from the monitoring station and analyzed the variation of sediment concentration and grain‐size distribution over time. A joint analysis of hydrological (i.e. flow velocity, wetted perimeter) and rheological (i.e. yield stress τ_y and dynamic viscosity μ_m ) parameters was performed to characterize the flow. Different flow regimes and sediment transport processes were identified and analyzed in comparison with both the amplitude and spectral features of the seismic signal. We observed differing sediment concentrations at the same discharge, suggesting a decoupling between sediment transport processes and discharge for low‐magnitude flows. A straightforward correlation was found between the amplitude of the seismic signal and the sediment concentration, and a value of 1.8 × 10^?3 mm/s was identified that can be used as a threshold to recognize the hyperconcentrated phase of the flow. This information was tested on the complete seismic dataset gathered at La Lumbre ravine during the 2015 rainy season. We identified the transition from streamflow to hyperconcentrated flow (and/or vice versa) in 16 low‐magnitude events and we validated this result using the video recordings. The correlation between seismic amplitude and sediment concentration is valid at La Lumbre ravine but would need to be tested in other locations for the development of automatic flow classification methods. This work contributes to standardized seismic methods for characterizing flow processes in volcanic environments, also for the development of lahar early warning systems. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Deriving formulas for an unsteady virtual velocity of bedload tracers

In a flume experiment with steady flow conditions, H. A. Einstein recognised the transport of bedload particles as consisting of steps of rolling, sliding, or saltation with intermittent rest periods, and introduced the concept of an average, ‘virtual’ transport velocity. This virtual velocity then has also been derived from tracer studies in the field by dividing the travelled distance of a tracer by the duration of competent flow. As a consequence, the virtual velocity in the field is represented by one single value only, despite the unsteady flow variables. Tracer measurements in a river have not been yet used to express transport velocity as a direct function of these actual variables, and insights from tracer measurements into the processes of sediment transport remain limited. In particular, the unsteady conditions for bedload in the field have impeded the derivation of sediment transport characteristics as determined from laboratory experiments, as well as the transfer of laboratory insights to a field setting. We introduce a method of data regression for the derivation of an ‘unsteady’ virtual velocity from repeated surveys of tracer positions. The regression program called graVel (provided as supplementary material) relates the integral of an excess flow variable term to measured travel distances, yielding the most probable threshold value for entrainment and the coefficient of linear and non‐linear formulas. An extended regression allows additional fitting of the exponent in non‐linear formulas. Application to published tracer data from the Mameyes River, Puerto Rico, shows that the unsteady virtual velocity is more likely governed by non‐linear relations to excess Shields stress, similar to bedload transport, than by relations linking the particle velocity linearly to excess shear velocity. Partial agreements with non‐dimensional results derived from the larger, non‐wadeable Mur River encourage the establishment of a generalised formula for the unsteady virtual velocity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rainfall,run‐off,and sediment transport dynamics in a humid mountain badland area: Long‐term results from a small catchment

In this study, we investigated rainfall, run‐off, and sediment transport dynamics (414 run‐off events and 231 events with sediment information) of a humid mountain badland area—the Araguás catchment (Central Pyrenees, Spain)—from October 2005 to September 2016. Use of this long‐term database allows characterization of the hydrological response, which consist of low‐magnitude/high‐frequency events and high‐magnitude/low‐frequency events, and identification of seasonal dynamics and rainfall‐run‐off thresholds. Our results indicate that the Araguás catchment, similarly to other humid badlands, had high hydrological responsiveness (mean annual run‐off coefficient: 0.52), a non‐linear relationship of rainfall with run‐off (common in Mediterranean environments), and seasonal hydrological and sedimentological dynamics. We created and validated a multivariate regression model to characterize the hydrological variables (stormflow and peak discharge) and sedimentological variables (mean and maximum suspended sediment concentrations and total suspended sediment load). In summer and at the beginning of autumn, the response was mainly related to rainfall intensity, suggesting a predomination of Hortonian flows. In contrast, in spring and winter, the responses were mainly related to the antecedent conditions (previous rainfall and baseflow), suggesting the occurrence of saturated excess flow processes, and the contribution of neighbouring vegetated areas. The multivariate analysis also showed that total sediment load is better predicted by a multivariate regression model that integrates pre‐event, rainfall, and run‐off variables. In general, our models provided more accurate predictions of small‐magnitude/high‐frequency events than high‐magnitude/low‐frequency events. This study highlights the high inter‐ and intra‐annual variability response in humid badland areas and that long‐term records are needed to reduce the uncertainty of hydrological and sedimentological responses in Mediterranean badland areas.     

Drainage basin sensitivity to tectonic and climatic forcing: implications of a stochastic model for the role of entrainment and erosion thresholds

Long‐term average rates of channel erosion and sediment transport depend on the frequency–magnitude characteristics of ?ood ?ows that exceed an erosion threshold. Using a Poisson model for rainfall and runoff, analytical solutions are developed for average rates of stream incision and sediment transport in the presence of such a threshold. Solutions are derived and numerically tested for three erosion/transport formulas: the Howard–Kerby shear‐stress incision model, the Bridge–Dominic sediment transport model, and a generic shear‐stress sediment transport model. Results imply that non‐linearity resulting from threshold effects can have a ?rst‐order impact on topography and patterns of dynamic response to tectonic and climate forcing. This non‐linearity becomes signi?cant when fewer than about half of ?ood events are capable of detaching rock or sediment. Predicted morphology and uplift‐gradient scaling is more closely consistent with observations and laboratory experiments than conventional slope‐linear or shear‐linear erosion laws. These results imply that particle detachment thresholds are not details that can be conveniently ignored in long‐term landscape evolution models. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Moisture transport and seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition of rainfall in Central American and Andean Páramo during El Niño conditions (2015–2016)

High‐elevation tropical grassland systems, called Páramo, provide essential ecosystem services such as water storage and supply for surrounding and lowland areas. Páramo systems are threatened by climate and land use changes. Rainfall generation processes and moisture transport pathways influencing precipitation in the Páramo are poorly understood but needed to estimate the impact of these changes, particularly during El Niño conditions, which largely affect hydrometeorological conditions in tropical regions. To fill this knowledge gap, we present a stable isotope analysis of rainfall samples collected on a daily to weekly basis between January 2015 and May 2016 during the strongest El Niño event recorded in history (2014–2016) in two Páramo regions of Central America (Chirripó, Costa Rica) and the northern Andes (Cajas, south Ecuador). Isotopic compositions were used to identify how rainfall generation processes (convective and orographic) change seasonally at each study site. Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory model (HYSPLIT) air mass back trajectory analysis was used to identify preferential moisture transport pathways to each Páramo site. Our results show the strong influence of north‐east trade winds to transport moisture from the Caribbean Sea to Chirripó and the South American low‐level jet to transport moisture from the Amazon forest to Cajas. These moisture contributions were also related to the formation of convective rainfall associated with the passage of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over Costa Rica and Ecuador during the wetter seasons and to orographic precipitation during the transition and drier seasons. Our findings provide essential baseline information for further research applications of water stable isotopes as tracers of rainfall generation processes and transport in the Páramo and other montane ecosystems in the tropics.     

Modelling long‐term contaminant migration in a catchment at fine spatial and temporal scales using the UP system

A method has been developed to simulate the long‐term migration of radionuclides in the near‐surface of a river catchment, following their release from a deep underground repository for radioactive waste. Previous (30‐year) simulations, conducted using the SHETRAN physically based modelling system, showed that long‐term (many decades) simulations are required to allow the system to reach steady state. Physically based, distributed models, such as SHETRAN, tend to be too computationally expensive for this task. Traditional lumped catchment‐scale models, on the other hand, do not give sufficiently detailed spatially distributed results. An intermediate approach to modelling has therefore been developed which allows flow and transport processes to be simulated with the spatial resolution normally associated with distributed models, whilst being computationally efficient.The approach involves constructing a lumped model in which the catchment is represented by a number of conceptual water storage compartments. The flow rates to and from these compartments are prescribed by functions that summarize the results from physically based distributed models run for a range of characteristic flow regimes. The physically based models used were, SHETRAN for the subsurface compartments, a particle tracking model for overland flow and an analytical model for channel routing. One important advantage of the method used in constructing the lumped model is that it makes down scaling possible, in the sense that fine‐scale information on the distributed hydrological regime, as simulated by the physically based distributed models, can be inferred from the variables in the lumped model that describe the hydrology at the catchment scale. A 250‐year flow simulation has been run and the down scaling process used to infer a 250‐year time‐series of three‐dimensional velocity fields for the subsurface of the catchment. This series was then used to drive a particle tracking simulation of contaminant migration. The concentration and spatial distribution of contaminants simulated by this model for the first 30 years were in close agreement with SHETRAN results. The remaining 220 years highlighted the fact that some of the most important transport pathways to the surface carry contaminants only very slowly so both the magnitude and spatial distribution of concentration in surface soils are not apparent over the shorter SHETRAN simulations. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三维随机断裂带的航空时域电磁响应数值模拟

传统的均匀分布异常体模型,不能准确描述地下介质的不规则性变化,采用随机介质进行替代,将使电导率这一物性参数更加接近于实际的电导率分布.本文结合地质结构中断裂带特征,采用Von Kármán函数建立三维随机介质模型,通过讨论Hurst指数与自相关长度对三维随机电导率模型建模产生的影响,进行参数优化建立所需的随机介质模型.利用一维傅里叶变换建立三维随机变化的条状断裂带异常体,三维傅里叶变换建立三维随机变化的背景围岩,准确地表征了油气藏断裂带特征.基于时域有限差分方法,实现了磁源激励下的三维随机介质航空时域电磁响应数值模拟.采用均匀半空间模型验证了数值模拟的正确性,分析了随机断裂带与均匀断裂带的电磁响应特征,结果表明随机断裂带可以准确描述地下介质的分布特征,而且与断裂带垂直方向的电磁响应特征清晰地描述了断裂带的倾向、走向与位置,为断裂带结构探测提供了理论依据和技术指导,三维随机断裂带模拟方法同样适用于其它三维随机介质的数值模拟.     

Contribution of occult precipitation to the water balance of páramo ecosystems in the Colombian Andes

Páramos are high‐altitudinal neotropical ecosystems located in the upper regions of the northern Andes. Their hydrology is characterized by an extraordinarily high run‐off ratio. One major contributing mechanism is thought to be fog occurrence, which is common in the páramos and occurs by the cooling of near‐surface moist air, as it is forced to higher elevations by topography. However, field‐based observations and quantification of this flux are rare. We present results of monitoring of occult precipitation, understood as the combination of fog and drizzle inputs, combined with meteorological and soil moisture monitoring for periods between 7 to 17 months in 6 sites distributed over 3 páramos catchments in Colombia: three sites in Romerales (Quindío), two in Chingaza (Cundinamarca), and one in Belmira (Antioquia). Occult precipitation inputs were measured with cylindrical fog gauges with a cover on top. We estimate occult precipitation inputs to add between 7% and 28% to rainfall inputs in the study sites. Our results also show that occult precipitation has a large temporal and spatial variability, both within one site and between sites, which make it difficult to upscale and quantify at a catchment scale. Nevertheless, occult precipitation can be important for downstream water supply given that these inputs are especially concentrated during periods with low rainfall. Lastly, we also find evidence for an increase in soil moisture related to occult precipitation during a dry period in Romerales páramo.     

Simulation of orthogonal horizontal components of near‐fault ground motion for specified earthquake source and site characteristics

A procedure to generate horizontal pairs of synthetic near‐fault ground motion components for specified earthquake source and site characteristics is presented. Some near‐fault ground motions contain a forward directivity pulse; others do not, even when the conditions for such a pulse are favorable. The proposed procedure generates pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions in appropriate proportions. We use our recent stochastic models of pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like near‐fault ground motions that are formulated in terms of physically meaningful parameters. The parameters of these models are fitted to databases of recorded pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions. Using these empirical “observations,” predictive relations are developed for the model parameters in terms of the earthquake source and site characteristics (type of faulting, earthquake magnitude, depth to top of rupture plane, source‐to‐site distance, site characteristics, and directivity parameters). The correlation coefficients between the model parameters are also estimated. For a given earthquake scenario, the probability of occurrence of a directivity pulse is first computed; pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like motions are then simulated according to the predicted proportions using the empirical predictive models. The resulting time series are realistic and reproduce important features of recorded near‐fault ground motions, including the natural variability. Moreover, the statistics of their elastic response spectra agree with those of the NGA‐West2 dataset, with the additional feature of distinguishing between pulse‐like and non‐pulse‐like cases and between forward and backward directivity scenarios. The synthetic motions can be used in addition to or in place of recorded motions in performance‐based earthquake engineering, particularly when recorded motions are scarce.     

Form roughness and the absence of secondary flow in a large confluence–diffluence,Rio Paraná, Argentina

Confluence–diffluence units are key elements within many river networks, having a major impact upon the routing of flow and sediment, and hence upon channel change. Although much progress has been made in understanding river confluences, and increasing attention is being paid to bifurcations and the important role of bifurcation asymmetry, most studies have been conducted in laboratory flumes or within small rivers with width:depth (aspect) ratios less than 50. This paper presents results of a field‐based study that details the bed morphology and 3D flow structure within a very large confluence–diffluence in the Río Paraná, Argentina, with a width:depth ratio of approximately 200. Flow within the confluence–diffluence is dominated largely by the bed roughness, in the form of sand dunes; coherent, channel‐scale, secondary flow cells, that have been identified as important aspects of the flow field within smaller channels, and assumed to be present within large rivers, are generally absent in this reach. This finding has profound implications for flow mixing rates, sediment transport rates and pathways, and thus the interpretation of confluence–diffluence morphology and sedimentology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Calculating the macrodispersion coefficient of the ensemble averaged solute transport equation in the discrete domain

Recognizing the spatial heterogeneity of hydraulic parameters, many researchers have studied the solute transport by both groundwater and channel flow in a stochastic framework. One of the methodologies used to up‐scale the stochastic solute transport equation, from a point‐location scale to a grid scale, is the cumulant expansion method combined with the calculus for the time‐ordered exponential and the calculus for the Lie operator. When the point‐location scale transport equation is scaled up to the grid scale, using the cumulant expansion method, a new dispersion coefficient emerges in the dispersive term of the solute transport equation in addition to the molecular dispersion coefficient. This velocity driven dispersion is called ‘macrodispersion’. The macrodispersion coefficient is the integral function of the time‐ordered covariance of the random velocity field. The integral is calculated over a Lagrangian trajectory of the flow. The Lagrangian trajectory depends on the following: (i) the spatial origin of the particle; (ii) the time when the macrodispersion is calculated; and (iii) the mean velocity field along the trajectory itself. The Lagrangian trajectory is a recursive function of time because the location of the particle along the trajectory at a particular time depends on the location of the particle at the previous time. This recursive functional form of the Lagrangian trajectory makes the calculation of the macrodispersion coefficient difficult. Especially for the unsteady, spatially non‐stationary, non‐uniform flow field, the macrodispersion coefficient is a highly complex expression and, so far, calculated using numerical methods in the discrete domains. Here, an analytical method was introduced to calculate the macrodispersion coefficient in the discrete domain for the unsteady and steady, spatially non‐stationary flow cases accurately and efficiently. This study can fill the gap between the theory of the ensemble averaged solute transport model and its numerical implementations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Large landslides and their effect on sediment flux in South Westland,New Zealand

Landslides and runoff are dominant erosional agents in the tectonically active alpine South Westland area of New Zealand, characterized by high uplift rates and extreme orographic precipitation. Despite a high density of shallow debris slides and flows, the geomorphic imprints of deep‐seated bedrock failures are dominant and persistent. Over 50 large (>1 km²) landslides comprising rock slide[sol ]avalanches, complex rotational and rock‐block slides, wedge failures, and deep‐seated gravitational slope deformation were detected on air photos and shaded‐relief images. Major long‐term impacts on alpine rivers include (1) forced alluviation upstream of landslide dams, (2) occlusion of gorges and triggering of secondary riparian landslides, and (3) diversion of channels around deposits to form incised meandering gorges. Remnants of large prehistoric (i.e. pre‐1840) landslide deposits possibly represent the low‐frequency (in terms of total area affected yet dominant) end of the spectrum of mass wasting in the western Southern Alps. This is at odds with high erosion rates in an active erosional landscape. Large landslides appear to have dual roles of supplying and retaining sediment. The implications of these roles are that (1) previous models of (shallow) landslide‐derived sediment flux need to be recalibrated, and (2) geomorphic effects of earthquake‐induced landsliding may persist for at least 10² years. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of the erosion rates in the upper Maracujá Basin (Quadrilátero Ferrífero/MG,Brazil) by the in situ produced cosmogenic 10Be method

The present work quantifies the erosive processes in the two main substrates (schists–phyllites and granites–gneisses) of the upper Maracujá Basin in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero/MG, Brazil, a region of semi‐humid tropical climate. Two measuring methods of concentration were used: (i) in situ produced ¹⁰Be in quartz veins (surface erosion rates) and (ii) ¹⁰Be in fluvial sediments (basin erosion rates). The results confirm that (i) erosion tends to be more aggressive close to the headwaters than in the lower parts of the basin and (ii) the region is now affected by dissection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.