Response of low‐angle dunes to variable flow

Current understanding of bedform dynamics is largely based on field and laboratory observations of bedforms in steady flow environments. There are relatively few investigations of bedforms in flows dominated by unsteadiness associated with rapidly changing flows or tides. As a consequence, the ability to predict bedform response to variable flow is rudimentary. Using high‐resolution multibeam bathymetric data, this study explores the dynamics of a dune field developed by tidally modulated, fluvially dominated flow in the Fraser River Estuary, British Columbia, Canada. The dunes were dominantly low lee angle features characteristic of large, deep river channels. Data were collected over a field ca 1·0 km long and 0·5 km wide through a complete diurnal tidal cycle during the rising limb of the hydrograph immediately prior to peak freshet, yielding the most comprehensive characterization of low‐angle dunes ever reported. The data show that bedform height and lee angle slope respond to variable flow by declining as the tide ebbs, then increasing as the tide rises and the flow velocities decrease. Bedform lengths do not appear to respond to the changes in velocity caused by the tides. Changes in the bedform height and lee angle have a counterclockwise hysteresis with mean flow velocity, indicating that changes in the bedform geometry lag changes in the flow. The data reveal that lee angle slope responds directly to suspended sediment concentration, supporting previous speculation that low‐angle dune morphology is maintained by erosion of the dune stoss and crest at high flow, and deposition of that material in the dune trough.     

选沙相似律对模型沙波相似性影响的试验研究

为了弄清选沙相似律对动床模型沙波相似性的影响,开展基于起动相似等3种不同相似律选择模型沙的沙波水槽试验。基于试验观测的沙波波高、波长以及沙波不同部位的水深、流速,对比分析了沙波尺度及其随水流强度变化过程的相似性。结果表明:当模型沙重率、形状与原型沙相同时,满足起动相似的模型沙沙波尺度与原型相似性最高,满足悬浮相似模型沙的沙波整体偏高、偏长,兼顾起动与悬浮相似的模型沙介于两者之间;不同选沙相似律不影响沙波波高、波长随相对水流强度的变化规律,满足不同相似律的模型沙沙波波高均在相同的相对水流强度达到最大值,波长随相对水流强度增大而增大。说明偏离起动相似越少,沙波相似程度越高。     

Compaction-driven fluid flow in viscoelastic rock

Abstract

Compaction driven fluid flow is inherently unstable such that an obstruction to upward fluid flow (i.e. a shock) may induce fluid-filled waves of porosity, propagated by dilational deformation due to an effective pressure gradient within the wave. Viscous porosity waves have attracted attention as a mechanism for melt transport, but are also a mechanism for both the transport and trapping of fluids released by diagenetic and metamorphic reactions. We introduce a mathematical formulation applicable to compaction driven flow for the entire range of rheological behaviors realized in the lithosphere. We then examine three first-order factors that influence the character of fluid flow: (1) thermally activated creep, (2) dependence of bulk viscosity on porosity, and (3) fluid flow in the limit of zero initial connected porosity. For normal geothermal gradients, thermally activated creep stabilizes horizontal waves, a geometry that was thought to be unstable on the basis of constant viscosity models. Implications of this stabilization are that: (1) the vertical length scale for compaction driven flow is generally constrained by the activation energy for viscous deformation rather than the viscous compaction length, and (2) lateral fluid flow in viscous regimes may occur on greater length scales than anticipated from earlier estimates of compaction length scales. In viscous rock, inverted geothermal gradients stabilize vertically elongated waves or vertical channels. Decreasing temperature toward the earth’s surface can induce an abrupt transition from viscous to elastic deformation-propagated fluid flow. Below the transition, fluid flow is accomplished by short wavelength, large amplitude waves; above the transition flow is by high velocity, low amplitude surges. The resulting transient flow patterns vary strongly in space and time. Solitary porosity waves may nucleate in viscous, viscoplastic, and viscoelastic rheologies. The amplitude of these waves is effectively unlimited for physically realistic models with dependence of bulk viscosity on porosity. In the limit of zero initial connected porosity, arguably the only model relevant for melt extraction, travelling waves are only possible in a viscoelastic matrix. Such waves are truly self-propagating in that the fluid and the wave phase velocities are identical; thus, if no chemical processes occur during propagation, the waves have the capacity to transmit geochemical signatures indefinitely. In addition to solitary waves, we find that periodic solutions to the compaction equations are common though previously unrecognized. The transition between the solutions depends on the pore volume carried by the wave and the Darcyian velocity of the background fluid flux. Periodic solutions are possible for all velocities, whereas solitary solutions require large volumes and low velocities. © Elsevier, Paris     

New impact equation using barrier Froude number for the design of dual rigid barriers against debris flows

Landslides - In the design of multiple rigid barriers, the height of the first barrier governs the impact dynamics of debris flow on the next barrier in a channel. However, current design...     

The behaviour of intertidal sandwaves during neap-spring tide cycles and the relevance for palaeoflow reconstructions

Variations in migration distances and shape characteristics of sandwaves in relation to flow conditions were studied on the Ossenisse intertidal shoal in the Westerschelde estuary. The purpose was to analyse bedform behaviour, to establish the threshold and the time lags involved, to find differences in two- and three-dimensional sandwaves and to determine the implications for palaeoflow reconstructions. Sandwave migration is well correlated with the peak depth-averaged flow velocity of the dominant tide. Thus the latter parameter may be estimated from the thickness of the tidal bundles. Other flow parameters such as shear velocity, Chezy C or roughness length do not show a correlation with the migration and cannot be used in palaeoflow analysis. Flow depth does not correlate with sandwave height or with length. Consequently, neither sandwave height and length nor set height and length can be used for palaeoflow depth determination. Sandwaves start moving when the peak dominant flow velocity exceeds 0.5–0.6 m s^?1, and appreciable changes in shape occur at 0.75–0.8 m s ^?1. Complete reversal of sandwaves is accomplished if both the dominant and subordinate peak depth-averaged current velocities exceed 0.85 m s^?1. Two- and 3-D sandwaves appeared to have different stability fields in the velocity-depth diagram and in the diagram of the Froude number versus the depth-grain-size ratio. In addition the distinction between 2-D and 3-D sandwaves appeared to be related to a variability in current direction during periods of appreciable sand transport. There are also differences in sedimentary structures between the two types of sandwaves.     

OCCURRENCE OF HIGH-ANGLE STRATIFICATION IN LITTORAL AND SHALLOW NERITIC ENVIRONMENTS,CENTRAL GEORGIA COAST,U.S.A.1

High-angle stratification (greater than 20°) is produced in several areas of shallow marine sedimentation along the barrier islands of the central Georgia coast. The maximum angle of inclination is 30° which is the angle of repose for the saturated, fine-grained, angular sand of this area. High-angle stratification forms in the following locations: (1) The depositional margin of tidal channel inlets. Under some wave and current conditions, sand accumulates near low tide level and steepens the depositional interface to the angle of repose. (2) The steep face of asymmetrical megaripples developed by tidal currents. Ripples with amplitudes as much as 3 ft. and wave lengths of 20–40 ft. commonly develop in channel inlets and other areas of sand sediments. (3) The steep face of sand waves formed in channel inlets. These large asymmetrical ripples have amplitudes as great as 12 ft. and wave lengths of ca. 300 ft. Lengths along the crests are over 600 ft. (4) The landward side of low bars developed on the beach. Bars and troughs (ridges and runnels) are common on the beaches of this area. The bars, which are as much as 5 ft. high, shift landward by deposition on the steep landward face. (5) The oceanward side of large sand waves at the mouth of offshore tidal channels. Large sand waves are located 6 miles offshore from Doboy Sound inlet in 20–25 ft. of water. The steep face of these asymmetrical sand waves is orientated toward the ocean. Amplitude of these large ripples is as much as 17 ft. and length along the crests is over 1/2 mile.     

Geology and tectonics of the basin of Mexico and their relationship with the damage caused by the earthquakes of September 1985

Summary The earthquakes of 19 September 1985 (18.2° N, 102.7° W and a magnitude of 8.1 Richter scale) and of 20 (17.6° N, 101.8° W and a magnitude of 7.5 Richter scale) September 1985, caused the total or partial destruction of more than 2000 structures in Mexico City. The most affected areas are located along the fringes of and bordering old roadways, earthworks (dikes), aquaducts and pre-hispanic population centres. Ancient construction artificially modified the sedimentation in the basin of the Mexico Valley Lakes making the sub-soil of Mexico City more rigid near to the surface, and producing deviations of the surface seismic waves (Rayleigh waves and Love waves). Also, when earthquakes occur on the Pacific coast, seismic waves travel quickly through plutonic, metamorphics and continental and marine rocks of different ages, having high seismic velocities. When the seismic waves enter the poorly consolidated lake sediments having low seismic velocities in the Mexico City Basin, they produce an energy buildup that causes the phenomenon called magnification.There exists a direct relation between the amplification mentioned above and the presence of rigid bodies that are buried in the sub-soil. The length of these bodies is of the order of tens of kilometres horizontally with thicknesses less than 50 metres. These Rigid Barriers produce reflections and refractions of the surface waves along their borders with destructive consequences for the buildings. A correlation between the buildings and the houses damaged and destroyed and the location of the prehispanic construction on the sub-soil has been made which shows that the most damage happened in the borders of old roadways (i.e. Tlalpan road), perimeter walls (i.e. San Lazaro), aqueducts (i.e. Chapultepec Avenue), pyramids (i.e. Templo Mayor) and population centres (i.e. Tlaltelolco).     

An empirical model for the development and equilibrium morphology of current ripples in fine sand

A flume study on the development and equilibrium morphology of current ripples in fine sand (D₅₀ = 0·238 mm) was performed to extend an empirical model for current ripple stability in 0·095 mm sand to larger grain sizes. The results of the flume experiments agree with the very fine sand model that current ripple development from a flat bed is largely independent of flow velocity. At all flow velocities, ripples evolve from incipient, through straight, sinuous and non-equilibrium linguoid, to equilibrium linguoid plan morphology. The time needed to achieve an equilibrium linguoid plan form is related to an inverse power of flow velocity and ranges from several minutes to more than hundreds of hours. Average equilibrium height and length are 17·0 mm and 141·1 mm respectively. These values are about 20% larger than in very fine sand. Equilibrium ripple height and length are proportional to flow velocity near the stability field of dunes. In the same velocity range, a characteristic grouping of ripples with smaller ripples migrating on the upstream face of larger ripples was observed. Bed-form development shows a conspicuous two-phase behaviour at flow velocities < 0·49 m s^?1. In the first phase of development, ripple height and length increase along an exponential path, similar to that at higher flow velocities, thus reaching intermediate equilibrium values of 14·8 mm and 124·5 mm respectively. After some time, however, a second phase commences, that involves a rapid increase in bed-form size to the typical equilibrium values for 0·238 mm sand. A comparison with literature data shows that the results obtained for 0·238 mm sand agree reasonably well with other flume studies at similar grain size. Yet considerable variability in the relationships between ripple dimensions and flow strength ensues from, among others, underestimation of equilibrium time, shallow flow depths and differences in sediment texture.     

准各向同性裂隙岩体中有效动弹性参数与弹性波速关系的研究

从弹性波在介质中传播的特点和弹性波法在岩体工程中的实际应用情况方面,分析了弹性波在含裂隙岩体介质中的传播特征。将岩体中裂隙呈随机分布的裂隙岩体似为准各向同性裂隙岩体,根据能量平衡原理、岩石断裂力学理论和卡氏最小功能定理(Castiglano’s theorem),确定了准各向同性裂隙岩体的有效动弹性参数( 、 、 )与裂隙密度参数(Xv)的数学关系。在此基础上,根据各向同性介质中传播的弹性波理论,建立了准各向同性裂隙岩体中弹性波速( 、 )和 / 与裂隙密度参数(Xv)之间的关系。理论研究表明,在此裂隙岩体中,有效动弹性参数和弹性波速与裂纹密度参数之间相互的关系均近似成倒数函数的非线性关系;裂隙密度参数增加,有效动弹性模量( )也减少,弹性波速( , )也减小;在裂隙密度参数较小时,此裂隙岩体的有效弹性模量和弹性波速随裂隙密度参数的变化较大,说明裂隙体的有效弹性参数和弹性波速对裂隙体非常敏感。     

Geometry and kinematics of dunes during steady and unsteady flows in the Calamus River, Nebraska, USA

The geometry and kinematics of river dunes were studied in a reach of the Calamus River, Nebraska. During day-long surveys, dune height, length, steepness, migration rate, creation and destruction were measured concurrently with bedload transport rate, flow depth, flow velocity and bed shear stress. Within a survey, individual dune heights, lengths and migration rates were highly variable, associated with their three-dimensional geometry and changes in their shape through time. Notwithstanding this variability, there were discernible changes in mean dune height, length and migration rate in response to changing discharge over several days. Changes in mean dune height and length lagged only slightly behind changes in discharge. Therefore, during periods of both steady and unsteady flow, mean dune lengths were quite close to equilibrium values predicted by theoretical models. Mean dune steepnesses were also similar to predicted equilibrium values, except during high, falling flows when the steepness was above that predicted. Variations in mean dune height and length with discharge are similar to those predicted by theory under conditions of low mean dune excursion and discharge variation with a short high water period and long low water period. However, the calculated rates of change of height of individual dunes vary considerably from those measured. Rates of dune creation and destruction were unrelated to discharge variations, contrary to previous results. Instead, creations and destructions were apparently the result of local variations in bed shear stress and sediment transport rate. Observed changes in dune height during unsteady flows agree with theory fairly well at low bed shear stresses, but not at higher bed shear stresses when suspended sediment transport is significant.     

低弗劳德数水流二级消力池体型参数试验研究

低弗劳德数水流条件下,二级消力池是解决消能问题的一种有效途径。但至今为止,有关二级消力池的工程应用研究较多,而在体型参数和消能机理方面研究较少。为此,采用理论分析和物理模型试验相结合的方法,研究了低弗劳德数水流二级消力池体型参数及其敏感性。结果表明:消力池的长度、深度和尾坎高度等参数都存在界限值,超出界限值时第一级消力池易于产生波状或远驱水跃,而第二级消力池出池水面波动显著增大。池长小于界限值时,消力池池内流态恶化,消能率明显降低;尾坎高度越低,消波效果越好。优化后的二级消力池消能率明显提高,且二级消力池对尾水位的适应性也显著扩大。引入尾坎高度修正系数ωi,提出了各级池长和尾坎高度的计算公式。     

地形地貌对地震波放大效应数值模拟研究

采用FLAC3D 软件进行大量数值模拟,研究了地形地貌对地震波放大效应规律。结果表明:对于单面坡模型,斜坡较低时,坡体对天然地震波和简谐波的峰值加速度在竖直向和顺坡面向产生线性放大效应。斜坡较高时,若坡角低,两种波形的加速度等值线近似平行于坡面,天然地震波坡顶正下方极值性不明显,但随坡角增大而明显,坡面正下方可见若干条与坡面相平行具节律性的极小值条带,随坡角增大向一条极值带转化,简谐波在高低坡脚时坡顶面正下方区域内都出现等间距相间分布具节律性的极值条带,坡面正下方的极值带状性不如天然地震波明显,随坡角增大而消失; 若坡角高,两波形加速度放大系数顺坡面呈相间的极值圈分布。双面坡坡顶宽度越小,山脊越单薄,加速度放大效应越强烈,随坡顶宽度增大,坡肩加速度放大系数趋于稳定,双面坡对加速度放大效应强于单面坡。对加速度放大效应,多峰形双峰形单峰形,坡顶越不规则,加速度放大效应越强烈。V形河谷坡面上半部分加速度放大效应要强于U形河谷,U形河谷的谷底中部对地震波动力响应要强于V形谷。坡面局部不规则性只影响到坡面局部范围内的峰值加速度分布,坡高、坡角、坡顶几何特征为整个峰值加速度分布的控制因素。     

基于EDEM的碎屑流运动规律及冲击性能研究

泥石流运动规律及其冲击性能对于泥石流灾害的影响范围及严重程度具有重要决定意义。出于泥石流这类多相介质的复杂性,本文采用离散元仿真软件EDEM 2018对碎屑流冲击流槽试验进行了数值模拟研究,考虑流槽坡度、底部拦挡结构角度以及颗粒级配的影响,在已有研究成果的基础上对固体颗粒运动过程及冲击性能展开了系统研究。本文将数值模拟结果与现存试验数据进行了对比分析,验证了数值模拟方法的可靠性,在此基础上得出了以下结论:(1)在拦挡结构角度与颗粒级配相同的情况下,流槽坡度越大,对应的碎屑流运动速度与冲击力的峰值也越大;(2)在流槽坡度与级配相同的情况下,拦挡结构越陡,与其相互作用的固体颗粒数量越多,碎屑流越快达到速度和冲击力峰值,且对应的速度与冲击力峰值也越大;(3)在运动过程中,各颗粒级配的碎屑流均出现反序现象,且细颗粒含量的提升可提高碎屑流运动速度,但同时冲击力降低,而粗颗粒含量的提升可增大碎屑流对拦挡结构的冲击力,对于运动速度的影响较小。     

The Functions and Values of Fringing Salt Marshes in Northern New England,USA

We compared the functions and values of fringing salt marshes to those of meadow marshes along the southern Maine/New Hampshire coast. Differences included soil organic matter content, plant species richness, and percent cover of high and low-marsh species. More sediment was trapped per unit area in fringing marshes than in meadow marshes, but this difference was not significant. Similarities included aboveground and belowground peak season biomass and the ability to dampen wave energy. Both marsh types reduced the height of waves coming onto the marsh surface by 63% only 7 m into the marsh. Fringing marshes are diverse in terms of their physical characteristics (width, length, slope, elevation, soils). Despite their small size, they are valuable components of estuaries, performing many ecological functions to the same degree as nearby meadow marshes. More effort should be made to include them in regional efforts to conserve and restore coastal habitats.     

粉质黏土堤防漫溢溃决试验

为研究粉质黏土堤防漫溢溃决破坏过程及其对水流要素和土体性质的响应规律,以河道流量、筑堤土体含水率和孔隙率为变量,在弯道水槽中开展了9组堤防漫溢溃决概化试验.通过试验发现,粉质黏土堤漫溢溃决溃口发展过程可分为垂向侵蚀和横向扩宽两个阶段,垂向侵蚀阶段以"陡坎"后退为主要形式;筑堤土体含水率与孔隙率不仅影响了溃口垂向侵蚀以及横向扩宽速度,而且决定了溃口最终形态,河道流量主要影响堤防溃口的横向扩宽速度;溃口处流速以及下游水位变化受溃口高度的制约.拟合得到土体黏聚力与土体含水率、孔隙率的相关关系式;通过试验数据提出了由土体黏聚力和水流参数表达的"陡坎"侵蚀后退速度计算公式,证明具有一定合理性.     

A Field Study of How Wind Waves and Currents May Contribute to the Deterioration of Saltmarsh Fringe

Deltaic landscapes, such as the Mississippi River Delta, are sites of extensive conversion of wetlands to open water, where increased fetch may contribute to erosion of marsh edges, increasing wetland loss. A field experiment conducted during a storm passage tested this process through the observations of wave orbital and current velocities in the fringe zone of a deteriorating saltmarsh in Terrebonne Bay, Louisiana. Incident waves seaward of the marsh edge and wave orbital and current velocities immediate landward of the marsh edge were measured. Through a dimensional analysis, it shows that the current and orbital velocities in the marsh fringe were controlled by the incident waves, inundation depth, submergence ratio, and vegetation density. Similarly, it is shown that the longshore currents in the inundated saltmarsh fringe depended on the local wave-induced momentum flux, vegetation submergence, and vegetation density in the fringe zone. The cross-shore current showed the presence of a return flow in the lower region of the velocity profile. A high correlation between the current direction and the local flow-wave energy ratio as well as the vegetation submergence and density is found, indicating the important role of surface waves in the fringe flow landward of an inundated wetland under storm conditions. The field observations shed light on the potential ecological consequences of increased wave activities in coastal saltmarsh wetlands owing to subsidence, sea level rise, limited sediment supply, increases in wind fetch, and storm intensity.     

Velocity attenuation of debris flows and a new momentum-based load model for rigid barriers

Effective design of mitigation measures against debris flow hazards remains a challenging geotechnical problem. At present, a pseudo-static approach is commonly used for the calculation of impact load acting on a rigid debris-resisting barrier. The impact load is normally calculated based on the maximum velocity observed in the transportation zone under free-field conditions without considering debris-barrier interaction. In reality, the impact load acting on a barrier varies with the change of debris momentum flux but this is seldom considered in barrier design. To provide a scientific basis for assessing debris momentum flux during impact, this paper presents results from a study of debris-barrier interaction using physical flume modelling. This study showed that, following the first stage of impact, the accumulated debris behind a barrier formed a stationary zone and caused the remaining debris to slow down in a run-up process. In the experiments, the peak debris momentum was 30 % lower compared to that observed under free-field conditions. A new momentum-based model was developed to take into account attenuation of momentum flux for predicting debris impact load on rigid barriers. The new rationalised model was assessed using data from the notable Yu Tung Road debris flow in Hong Kong. The assessment showed that the design bending moment at the base of the barrier wall could be reduced more than 30 % using the proposed model, compared with the current design approach. The adoption of the proposed model could offer a new opportunity for practitioners to optimise the design of rigid barriers.     

Features of Vortical Suppression of Tsunami Waves by Underwater Barriers

Doklady Earth Sciences - The features of vortical suppression of tsunami waves by an impermeable underwater barrier have been studied. The height of the barrier is close to the optimum...     

Interpreting flash flood palaeoflow parameters from antidunes and gravel lenses: An example from Montserrat,West Indies

The wavelength of stationary water‐surface waves and their associated antidune bedforms are related to the mean velocity and depth of formative flow. In past published sand‐bed flume experiments, it was found that lens structures were preserved during antidune growth and change, and the dimension of the lenses was empirically related to antidune wavelength, and thus could be used to estimate flow velocity and depth. This study is the first to compare observations of formative flow conditions and resulting sedimentary structures in a natural setting, testing the previously published relationship at a field‐scale. Trains of stationary and upstream migrating water‐surface waves were prevalent during the flash flood in October 2012 in the Belham Valley, Montserrat, West Indies. Wave positions and wavelengths were assessed at 900 sec intervals through the daylight hours of the event within a monitored reach. The wave data indicate flow depths up to 1·3 m and velocity up to 3·6 m sec^?1. Sedimentary structures formed by antidune growth and change were preserved in the event deposit. These structures include lenses of clast‐supported gravel and massive sand, with varying internal architecture. The lenses and associated low‐angle strata are comparable to sand‐bed structures formed from stationary and upstream migrating waves in flume experiments, confirming the diagnostic value of these structures. Using mean lens length in the event deposit underestimated peak flow conditions during the flood and implied that the lenses were preserved during waning flow.     

Experimental study on impulse waves generated by a viscoplastic material at laboratory scale

This experimental study provides insight into impulse waves generated by a viscoplastic material. The viscoplastic material chosen is a stable polymeric gel called Carbopol Ultrez 10, which is approximately modeled as Herschel–Bulkley model. As observed from high-speed cameras, the viscoplastic material such as Carbopol moves as a long and thin train of material along the slope, and only a fraction of the sliding mass is engaged in generating the leading wave. Therefore, our primary objective is to study how much of the initial slide mass is able to contribute to the leading wave formation. For the sake of distinguishing the actual slide mass acting on the leading wave formation with the initial mass, we define the submarine slide mass when the leading wave reaches its maximum wave height as “effective mass”. In this work, we held the still water depth and slope angle constant, and varied the initial slide mass and slope length. Then, we measured the slide velocity, slide thickness, and slide mass at impact, as well as the wave amplitude and wave height. The results indicate that the effective mass is dependent on both the initial slide mass and the slope length. The ratio of the effective mass to the initial slide mass is less than 20% in our experimental range, and the ratio increases with larger initial mass. In addition, we also examined our experimental data with previous empirical equations developed from granular slides. By considering the effective mass instead of the initial slide mass, the prediction of impulse waves generated by viscoplastic material is significantly improved.