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     

The use of soft shore protection measures in shallow lakes: Research methodology and case study

Shore protection in lakes is an issue of major importance in Switzerland where several big lakes in plains suffer from a pronounced bank erosion. For the moment, in shallow lakes, soft and biotechnical protection measures proved their reliability. Unfortunately, the scientific basis for the design of such techniques does not exist in some cases or not appropriate enough in order to have an optimized effect. Therefore, the aim of an on-going research project is to study, on the basis of physical and numerical modeling, the impact of such measures on the shores regarding bank erosion, and to establish the main basis for their dimensioning. A 2-D numerical model was used to simulate the eroded beach of Préverenges on the North coast of Lake Geneva. Hence, this case study allowed a better understanding of the numerical capacities of the program by modelling wave effect on bedload sediment transport and shore erosion as well as wind role in the generation of littoral currents.     

Threshold of tolerance model: strategy for international travel

The purpose of this research is to investigate what factors influence the management of International Business Air Travel (IBAT). The researchers interviewed 34 business travellers, travel organisers and executives involved in IBAT from ten organisations in differing industries, in Australia. It was found that there are a multitude of factors influencing IBAT management, including professionalism and job satisfaction of travellers and the achievement of organisational goals such as carrying out successful international ventures or operating effectively in international markets. From the findings a strategic model was developed called the Threshold of Tolerance Model—which illustrates the potential point where both organisational goals are most likely to be met and where IBAT is most likely to be well managed for both travellers and organisations.     

Environmental characteristics of hotspots of alcohol-related health incidents outside of the entertainment districts of Amsterdam

While hotspots of alcohol-related incidents have been associated with alcohol outlet density, few studies have considered other environmental factors. We aimed to characterise the environment of hotspots outside of outlet density areas in Amsterdam. Using geographical information systems, we identified hotspots of alcohol-related health incidents outside of outlet density areas based on the registry of alcohol related ambulance attendances. While quantitative data and methods were used to analyse victim profiles (including age, sex and home address) and temporal profiles (time of incident), we combined quantitative and qualitative information to develop environmental profiles of these hotspots. We identified 11 hotspots with 242 incidents outside outlet density areas. Results indicate substantial differences between incidents in these hotspots and incidents in high outlet density areas. Victims in these hotspots are older, more often male and live closer to the incident location compared to victims in high outlet density hotspots. Incidents are less likely to take place during the night and at weekends. In-depth analysis of four hotspots showed different combinations of contributing environmental factors, including (a) public parks bordering deprived neighbourhoods, (b) dance event facilities close to a traffic black spot, and (c) residential services for disadvantaged groups near ‘hang-outs’. The study shows that hotspots of alcohol-related incidents can arise outside outlet density areas at locations where several other environmental factors cluster, particularly in more deprived areas. Such hotspots can be addressed in urban planning and urban design.     

Disproportion among Cladocera (Crustacea) skeletal components in lake sediment taphocoenoses and significance with respect to two methods of sub-fossil enumeration

Journal of Paleolimnology - Analysis of Cladocera (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) subfossil remains in lake sediments features prominently in paleolimnological studies. It is well known, however, that...     

The construction of a simple portable electromagnetic vibrator from commercially available components

Since its introduction in the late 1950s, hydraulic vibrators have become the dominant source for land seismic surveys. The hydraulic vibrators typically used for commercial land seismic acquisition, however, are large, costly to operate and expensive to purchase. This inhibits their use for small-scale and short-duration surveys as well as Vibroseis research. In this paper we describe, in detail, the construction of a portable vibrator from commercially available components for a cost of less than $US2,000. Data shows that the vibrator is able to successfully transmit sweeps from 15 to 180 Hz with different spectral contents. The vibrator produces a stronger signal than a sledgehammer and we estimate its output to be around 1 kN. The frequency content of the data was concentrated at lower frequencies (<100 Hz) and the ground-roll was far more energetic than that produced using a sledgehammer.