Influence of large woody debris on sediment scour at bridge piers

Large woody debris(LWD) reduces the flow area,deviate the flow and increases the velocity in correspondence of the bridge pier,therefore increases the maximum scour hole depth and accelerates sediment removal.Logs and drifts accumulated on bridge piers are of different dimensions.According to logs characteristics and river morphology,drift accumulations can either extend downstream the bridge pier or they can accumulate totally upstream.This paper aims to analyze the effect of drift accumulation planimetry on bridge pier scour.The experimental investigation has been carried out at the PITLAB hydraulic centre of Civil Engineering Department,University of Pisa,Italy.Drift accumulation was characterized by different relative longitudinal lengths,flow area occlusions,length of longitudinal drift and downstream planimetrical positions relative to the pier center.The experimental investigation has been carried out in clear-water conditions.Several pier sizes,channel widths and sediment materials have been tested.Maximum scour hole in presence of drift accumulation have been compared to the maximum scour hole for an isolated pier.Finally,data were compared with previous literature findings,which highlight the effect of the downstream extension of drift accumulation on bridge pier scour.New relationships have been proposed to predict the effect of drift accumulation on bridge pier scour,both in terms of relative maximum scour and temporal scour evolution.     

Live-bed scour downstream of block ramps for low densimetric Froude numbers

Sediment load plays a major role in the morphological evolution of rivers.Therefore,the analysis of the sediment load interaction with hydraulic structures is of main importance in order to enhance the preservation of fish habitats and river morphological characteristics.The present study analyzes the scour mechanisms downstream of a block ramp in live bed conditions,when the sediment supplied by the approaching flow is balanced by the sediment transported out of the scour hole.Experiments were performed in a model flume and the effect of the approaching sediment concentration on the scour geometry was analyzed.It was observed that the scour features depend deeply on the approaching sediment concentration and four main profile configurations were distinguished.The experimental data were analyzed and empirical relationships were developed in order to evaluate the depth and length of a scour hole,the dune height and the distance of the transversal section of maximum dune height from the ramp toe for different hydraulic and geometric conditions.It was also proved that the dynamic equilibrium shape of a scour hole does not depend on the sediment load time history.     

Effects of hydraulic structures on river morphological processes

Study of hydraulic structures such as groins and bandal-like structures can provide valuable information on their influences on morphological processes in natural rivers.These structures usually used for bank protection and formation of deep navigation channel can locally create complex flow patterns,reduce flow velocities and also increase the flood levels.Most of the previous studies are focused on structures like groins under non-submerged flow condition.However,the recent demand of nature friendly low cost and sustainable methods for river bank protection and channel formation leads to the necessity of study different type of structures like bandal-like structures.In this context, this study investigates the flow characteristics and sediment transport process influenced by bandal-like structures through laboratory experiments.The experiments were carried out under live-bed scour condition with sediment supplied from the inlet for two submergence(non-submerged and submerged)conditions.The experimental measurements contribute to better understand the mechanism of deposition/erosion process around different type of hydraulic structures.The performance of bandal-like structures considering the erosion around the structures,the deposition near the bank and the formation of deep main channel show promising results compared with conventional structures such as groins(impermeable and permeable ones).     

Numerical model of local scour considering the unsteady sediment inflow and sediment sorting: Application to scour upstream of slit weir

The current study proposes a novel framework for the numerical model for estimating the temporal scour considering unsteady sediment inflow and the sediment sorting process. The framework was applied to local scour upstream of a slit weir. The scour model is based on an ordinary nonlinear differential equation derived from sediment continuity and scour rate equations. A one-dimensional(1-D)Boussinesq-type model coupled with nonequilibrium sediment transport was incorporated in the scour model to...     

VERIFICATION OF MATHEMATICL MODEL FOR SEDIMENT TRANSPORT BY UNSTEADY FLOW IN THE LOWER YELLOW RIVER

Field data from the Lower Yellow River (LYR) covering a period often consecutive years are used to test a mathematical model for one dimensional sediment transport by unsteady flow developed previously by the writers. Data of the first year of the said period, i.e., 1976, are used to calibrate the model and those of the remaining years to verify it. Items investigated include discharge, water stage, rate of transport of suspended sediment and riverbed erosion/deposition. Comparisons between computed and observed data indicate that the proposed model may well simulate sediment transport in the LYR under conditions of unsteady flow with sufficient accuracy.     

Sediment transport under the presence and absence of emergent vegetation in a natural alluvial channel from Brazil

Studies regarding the influence of emergent vegetation on sediment transport are scarce and have mainly focused on flume conditions. To fill this gap and also meet the international need, we aimed to evaluate the influence of emergent vegetation (Echinodorus macrophyllus) on sediment transport of Capibaribe River, Brazil. Bedload and suspended sediment measurements were carried out using the US BLH 84 and US DH 48 samplers, respectively. Measurements of stem diameter, stem spacing and plant density were performed in conjunction with flow and sediment field measurements. Based on our results, 0.45 m s ? 1 was the threshold of mean flow velocity supported by E. macrophyllus under field conditions. This value can be helpful for other rivers with gravel-bed river to armoured layer ratio (AR ? D50-surface)/D50-subsurface ? 12.50) – natural conditions observed in Capibaribe River – or where the vegetation can provide positive effects, such as increase the bed stability, assist water restoration/rehabilitation and decrease water turbidity. Our results can hopefully be used in engineering practice and ecosystem management. In general, both the drag coefficient and drag force varied inversely and directly with the mean flow velocity and vegetation density, respectively. The vegetation resistance force was inversely proportional to the bedload transport owing to the resistance caused by emergent vegetation. This finding was supported by the clear decoupling between nonvegetated and emergent vegetated conditions indicated by cluster analysis. The study results provided a reasonable understanding of the interaction between emergent vegetation, water flow and sediment transport in the Capibaribe River.&2016 International Research and Training Centre on Erosion and Sedimentation/the World Association     

Local scour around two side-by-side cylindrical bridge piers under ice-covered conditions

In the current study, 108 flume experiments with non-uniform, cohesionless sediments have been done to investigate the local scour process around four pairs of side-by-side bridge piers under both open channel and ice-covered flow conditions. Similar to local scour around bridge piers under open channel conditions and a single bridge pier, it was observed in the experiments that the maximum scour depth always occurred at the upstream face of the pier under ice-covered conditions. Further, the smaller the pier size and the greater the spacing distance between the bridge piers, the weaker the horseshoe vortices around the bridge piers, and, thus, the shallower the scour holes around them. Finally, empirical equations were developed to estimate the maximum scour depth around two side-by-side bridge piers under both open channel and ice-covered flow conditions.     

USE OF SURFACE GUIDE PANELS AS PIER SCOUR COUNTERMEASURES

1 INTRODUCTION Protection of bridge piers against local scour is of major importance to bridge maintenance. The safety of bridges is seriously threatened by the river flood during typhoons or thunderstorms. In Taiwan typhoon’s floods are often so strong in possession of high energy to transport a large amount of bed sediment in river. The average velocity in a flood river can go typically over 3 m/s even up to 5 m/s, several times of the regular flow speed. The peak discharge of flood i…     

IMPACTS OF DIMENSION AND SLOPE OF SUBMERGED SPUR DIKES ON LOCAL SCOUR PROCESSES - AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

1 INTRODUCTION In alluvial streams bed scour often occurs if the sediment load is less than the transport capacity of the flow. Two types of scour are identified, namely local scour and channel bed scour. Channel bed scour can be further classified accord…     

Characterization of horseshoe vortex in a developing scour hole at a cylindrical bridge pier

Since local scour at bridge piers in rivers and estuaries is a major cause of bridge failure, estimation of the maximum local scour depth is of great importance to hydraulic and coastal engineers. Although numerous studies that focus on scour-depth prediction have been done and published, understanding of the flow and turbulence characteristics of the horseshoe vortex that drives the scour mechanism in a developing scour hole still is immature. This study aims to quantify the detailed turbulent flow field in a developing clear-water scour hole at a circular pier using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The distributions of velocity fields, turbulence intensities, and Reynolds shear stresses of the horseshoe vortex that form in front of the pier at different scour stages (t=0, 0.5, 1, 12, 24, and 48 h) are presented in this paper. During scour development, the horseshoe vortex system was found to evolve from one initially small vortex to three vortices. The strength and size of the main vortex are found to increase with increasing scour depth. The regions of both the maximum turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress are found to form at a location upstream of the main vortex, where the large turbulent eddies have the highest possibility of occurrence. Results from this study not only provide new insight into the complex flow-sediment interaction at bridge piers, but also provide valuable experimental databases for advanced numerical simulations.     

Simultaneous use of cable and collar to prevent local scouring around bridge pier

Various methods to control scour around bridge piers have been proposed.In the present study the application of cable or collar and a combination of cable and collar were examined experimentally,as countermeasures against local scouring at a smooth circular bridge pier,close to threshold flow conditions of initiation of uniform sediment motion.The results show that the simultaneous use of cable and collar has high efficiency in reducing the scour depth.The best configuration was found for a cable-pier diameter ratio of 0.15 and thread angle of 15°,in which the scour depth in upstream of the pier reduced to about 53%.In the case of a pier protected with cable and collar the scouring postponed more than pier protected with collar and the rate of scouring is less than in pier protected with collar.These advantages can reduce the risk of pier failure when the duration of flood is short. The results indicate that the scour reduction increases as the cable diameter increased and the thread angle decreased.     

EFFECTS OF FLOW INTENSITY, OBSTACLE ALIGNMENT AND CROSS-SECTION GEOMETRY ON SCOUR AT BRIDGE ABUTMENTS

1 INTRODUCTION Local scour at bridge piers and abutments has long concerned engineers. Scour depth estimation has attracted considerable research interest and activity, and a number of prediction methods exist at present (see, e.g., comprehensive lists of predictors given by Melville and Colleman, 2000). Several studies have been completed since the 1950s for the particular case of scour at bridge abutments. Since the beginning of the 1980s, the University of Auckland, New Zealand, …     

Measuring the geometry of a developing scour hole in clear-water conditions using underwater sonar scanning

A novel scanning technique using a rotating-head sonar profiler attached to a slider mechanism is presented as a means to directly measure the complex erosion and deposition features of local scour holes developing in clear-water conditions around vertical cylinders mimicking bridge piers.Extensive validation shows that the method produces high-density elevation surfaces to within≌1.5±2 mm accuracy in a quasi-non-invasive manner.This equates to 0.5±0.7% relative to the flow depth which sonar resolution is well known to scale with.Experimental data from three trials using different cylinder diameters indicate that monitoring of the entire scour hole over time(instead of only the maximum depth as is commonly done in laboratory experiments) can reveal important information about local scour evolution.In particular,results show that the scour-hole volume scales with the maximum scour depth cubed(V_(OL)-y_S~3) through three linear regimes.The transition to the third linear regime was found to represent a step change in the scour evolution process.Following the recent theoretical framework proposed by Manes and Brocchini(2015),this change,termed the crossover point,was interpreted as the point where the production of turbulent kinetic energy plateaus which corresponds to a stabilization in the erosive power of the horseshoe vortex.Scour development beyond the crossover point is characterised by a significant reduction in the rate of volumetric scour,relative to the steadily-increasing maximum scour depth.This overall reduction in volume-development is attributed to a balance between erosion from in-front of the pier and deposition around the sides using topography analysis.It is speculated that the existence of the crossover point may help to identify the characteristic length and time scales describing the evolution of local scour,which may be used for modeling purposes.     

Book Review of “Fluvial Hydrodynamics:Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Phenomena”,2014.Springer Verlag,687 pages,ISBN 978-3-642-19061-2,by Subhasish Dey.

<正>The author,Prof Subhasish Dey,presents an up-to-date and comprehensive consideration of hydrodynamic principles to analyze sediment transport phenomenon.The author is well known in the field of applied hydrodynamics and sediment transport,with wide experience in theoretical and applied research.The book is intended for postgraduate and research students,who already have a decent knowledge and understanding of fluid mechanics,as well as for model developers and users of theoretical models in the fluvial hydrodynamics field.The author's intention is to introduce the readers to the mechanics and physics of sediment transport by turbulent flow,     

SEDIMENTATION AND EROSION STUDIES

The river systems observed today is the cumulative result of surface, rill, and gully erosion, and sediment transport, scour, and deposition. The divisions of approach between these two related areas are man-made, and are not based on sound science. Most of the erosion studies are done by geologists and agricultural engineers who are concerned of the surface,     

Experimental and numerical modelling of sedimentation in a rectangular shallow basin

Numerical simulation of flows in shallow reservoirs has to be checked for its consistency in predicting real flow conditions and sedimentation patterns. Typical flow patterns may exhibit flow separation at the inlet, accompanied by several recirculation and stagnation areas all over the reservoir surface. The aim of the present research project is to study the influence of the geometry of a reservoir on sediment transport and deposition numerically and experimentally, focusing on a prototype reservoir depth between 5 and 15 m as well as suspended sediment transport.
A series of numerical simulations is presented and compared with scaled laboratory experiments, with the objective of testing the sensitivity to different flow and sediment parameters and different turbulence closure schemes. Different scenarios are analyzed and a detailed comparison of preliminary laboratory tests and some selected simulations are presented.
The laboratory experiments show that suspended sediment transport and deposition are determined by the initial flow pattern and by the upstream and downstream boundary conditions. In the experiments, deposition in the rectangular basin systematically developed along the left bank, although inflow and outflow were positioned symmetrically along the centre of the basin. Three major horizontal eddies developed influencing the sediment deposition pattern. Although asymmetric flow patterns are privileged, a symmetric pattern can appear from time to time. This particular behaviour could also be reproduced by a two-dimensional depth-averaged flow and sediment transport model （CCHE2D）. The paper presents numerical simulations using different turbulence closure schemes （k-ε and eddy viscosity models）. In spite of the symmetric setup, these generally produced an asymmetric flow pattern that can easily switch sides depending on the assumptions made for the initial and boundary conditions. When using the laboratory experiment as a reference, the most reliable numerical results have been obtai     

Unexpected sedimentation patterns upstream and downstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir: Future risks

This paper summarizes the latest developments, future prospects, and proposed countermeasures of reservoir sedimentation and channel scour downstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) on the Yangtze River in China. Three key results have been found.(1) The incoming sediment load to the TGR has been significantly lower than expected.(2) The accumulated volume of sediment deposition in the TGR is smaller than expected because the overall sediment delivery ratio is relatively low, and the deposition in the near-dam area of the TGR is still developing.(3) River bed scour in the river reaches downstream of the Gezhouba Dam is still occurring and channel scour has extended to reaches as far downstream as the Hukou reach. Significantly, sedimentation of the TGR is less problematic than expected since the start of operation of the TGR on the one hand;on the other hand, the possible increases in sediment risks from dependence on upstream sediment control, deposition in the reservoir, and scour along middle Yangtze River should be paid more attention.(1) Sediment trapped by dams built along the upper Yangtze River and billion tons of loose materials on unstable slopes produced by the Wenchuan Earthquake could be new sediment sources for the upper Yangtze River. More seriously, possible release of this sediment into the upper Yangtze River due to new earthquakes or extreme climate events could overwhelm the river system, and produce catastrophic consequences.(2) Increasing sediment deposition in the TGR is harmful to the safety and efficiency of project operation and navigation.(3) The drastic scour along the middle Yangtze River has intensified the down-cutting of the riverbed and erosion of revetment, it has already led to increasing risk to flood control structures and ecological safety. It is suggested to continue the Field Observation Program, to initiate research programs and to focus on risks of sedimentation.     

TWO DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FLOWA ND GEO-MORPHOLOGICAL PROCESSES NEAR HEADLANDS BY USING UNSTRUCTURED GRIDResearch Associate, Dept. of Comput. Hydr., Water Research Center, Tehran, Iran,

A two-dimensional mathematical model for simulating flow and sediment transport is presented. The model simulates flow and geo-morphological processes using a high order accurate, oscillation free scheme. The depth averaged Reynolds (shallow water) equations are used for flow simulation. Both equilibrium and non-equilibrium methods (by solving convection-diffusion equation) are used for sediment transport modeling while sediment carrying capacity is computed using different methods. A finite volume, flux difference splitting scheme is employed to solve the governing equations, which is able to simulate sub, super and transeritical flows with shock waves. Moreover, the numerical method is able to simulate flow over the variable topographies and it has a low level of numerical diffusion in the case of circulating flows like headlands. The computational grid of this model is triangular unstructured with variable size, which is flexible for arbitrary geometries and grid refinement. Using the model for simulating flow and sediment transport in some test cases such as a partially closed channel and comparing the results showed that the results obtained by the developed model were in a reasonable agreement with measurements and the other models cited.     

The experimental study for the allocation of ground-sills downstream of check dams

The main purpose of this study is to understand the stabilizing effect of ground-sills on the riverbed through a series of flume model experiments. From results, although check dams have the ability to control upstream sediment transport, the mass energy produced by the free fall of the overtopping discharge still causes strong local scour downstream of the structure, and this scour leads to the instability of the check dam. Therefore, this study conducted model experiments on various types of serial ground-sills to determine the appropriate spacing to best protect the downstream bed. Based on the observations and analysis of channel geomorphology and sedimentation, this study concluded the following results： 1） Serial ground-sills reduces the sediment transport ability perfectly, especially under a mild channel gradient equipped with 2 4 times the average channel width interval. But for steep slopes, it is suggested that the proper spacing should be shortened to 1 2 times the average channel width. 2） Ground-sills can effectively protect the streambed from scouring under a suitable equipped condition and the concepts of guiding scour and riverbed inertia were used in the analysis of optimal ground-sill spacing.     

Physical and coupled fully three-dimensional numerical modeling of pressurized bottom outlet flushing processes in reservoirs

Sediment deposition in reservoirs is an important research topic in engineering practice. Reservoir sedimentation has the potential to affect ood levels, drainage for agricultural land, pump station and hydropower operation as well as navigation. This paper describes the development of a coupled fully three-dimensional (3D) numerical model for the prediction of the local sediment ushing scour upstream of the bottom outlet. The presented numerical model solves the Navier-Stokes equations in conjunction with the k- turbulence model which includes both sediment transport and hydrodynamic parameters. The proposed coupled fully 3D numerical model is used to simulate experimental tests based on non-cohesive sediment. The geometric features of the scour hole (temporal and spatial hole devel- opment) upstream of the bottom outlet were reasonably well predicted compared to the experimental data. Furthermore, the velocity eld upstream of the bottom outlet was in good agreement with mea- surements. The proposed numerical model for bottom outlet ushing was, therefore, validated because of its ability to accurately predict the scour hole development during the ushing process. The proposed numerical model can be considered reliable provided that the model is correctly calibrated and set up to re ect the conditions of a particular case study.