Sensitivity of interfacial hydraulics to the microtopographic roughness of water‐lain gravels

Flow within the interfacial layer of gravel‐bed rivers is poorly understood, but this zone is important because the hydraulics here transport sediment, generate flow structures and interact with benthic organisms. We hypothesized that different gravel‐bed microtopographies generate measurable differences in hydraulic characteristics within the interfacial layer. This was tested using a high density of spatially and vertically distributed, velocity time series measured in the interfacial layers above three surfaces of contrasting microtopography. These surfaces had natural water‐worked textures, captured in the field using a casting procedure. Analysis was repeated for three discharges, with Reynolds numbers between 165000 and 287000, to evaluate whether discharge affected the impact of microtopography on interfacial flows. Relative submergence varied over a small range (3.5 to 8.1) characteristic of upland gravel‐bed rivers. Between‐surface differences in the median and variance of several time‐averaged and turbulent flow parameters were tested using non‐parametric statistics. Across all discharges, microtopographic differences did not affect spatially averaged (median) values of streamwise velocity, but were associated with significant differences in its spatial variance, and did affect spatially averaged (median) turbulent kinetic energy. Sweep and ejection events dominated the interfacial region above all surfaces at all flows, but there was a microtopographic effect, with Q2 and Q4 events less dominant and structures less persistent above the surface with the widest relief distribution, especially at the highest Reynolds number flow. Results are broadly consistent with earlier work, although this analysis is unique because of the focus on interfacial hydraulics, spatially averaged ‘patch scale’ metrics and a statistical approach to data analysis. An important implication is that observable differences in microtopography do not necessarily produce differences in interfacial hydraulics. An important observation is that appropriate roughness parameterizations for gravel‐bed rivers remain elusive, partly because the relative contributions to flow resistance of different aspects of bed microtopography are poorly constrained. © 2014 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

Impact of channel bar form and grain size variability on estimated stranding risk of juvenile brown trout during hydropeaking

Hydropeaking leads to artificial fluctuations in discharge and corresponding water levels with pronounced dewatering areas between base and peak flow along gravel bars and channel banks. In the present study, 16 hydropeaking reaches in Austria were investigated to assess possible differences in the estimated stranding risk for young of the year brown trout according to different gravel bar types and differences in microtopography roughness. Based on hydrodynamic‐numerical modelling, a predictive habitat modelling approach was implemented in the study design. Accompanied by grain size sampling along the various channel bars, a conceptual stranding risk model (SRM) was developed. The results showed that a high variability in estimated stranding risk exists for the tested sites considering discharge ratios of 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10. With respect to the discussion of establishing legal thresholds for ramping ratios in discharge, it was documented that, exemplarily, a discharge ratio base flow/peak flow of 1:5 (winter base flow conditions) could cause minor differences in the spatial extent of dewatering areas and the related estimated stranding risk for juvenile brown trout compared to a ratio of 1:2 for summer base flow conditions. Microtopographic roughness was addressed due to sampling and analysis of grain size distributions. Statistical testing of grain size distributions revealed significant differences between the surface material compositions of the investigated gravel bars. Those differences are evident, particularly for the coarser fraction (d₉₀), which is important as cover for young of the year brown trout. These aspects of grain size in habitat use and hydraulics have been addressed in the conceptual SRM. The results showed that point bar morphology, in particular, was less sensitive to the risk of stranding compared to, for example, alternating gravel bars. Considering the multiple pressures for alpine rivers, the improvement of structural features due to bar formation and related self‐forming processes is discussed as a possible alternative for future mitigation measures to reduce the negative impacts of hydropeaking. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

雅安地区青衣江流域第四纪阶地特征分析

雅安青衣江流域阶地非常发育。通过砾石的岩性、粒度、扁平面的统计,研究区阶地砾石主要来源于青衣江上游地区,在万古场古青衣江流向由北东改为向东,在阳坪现代青衣江流向一致为东南,流速有逐渐减小的趋势。根据阶地测年和阶面相对高程分析,从早更新世至全新世本区至少有7次构造抬升,万古场阶地最大抬升幅度达85 m,最大抬升速率为0.532 mm/a,阳坪阶地抬升幅度最大达到52 m,最大抬升速率为1.25 mm/a。     

Assessment of Dynamic Characteristics for Compaction Piles with Geophysical Logging in Soft Ground

In this paper, a case study was performed on a sand compaction pile (SCP) and a gravel compaction pile (GCP) to estimate the dynamic characteristics and the improvement effect of soft ground. The dynamic elastic modulus, shear modulus, bulk modulus, and Poisson's ratio were estimated and the dynamic characteristics were analyzed using the compression and shear wave velocity of the improved ground based on the results of suspension P- and S-wave (PS) logging. The results revealed that the dynamic properties were increased in the order of unimproved subsoil and improved subsoil using SCP and GCP. The increase in the effects of dynamic properties with each replacement ratio of SCP was not large, whereas a good increase in the effects was observed in the case of the improved subsoil with GCP. Consequently, it was presented that the resistance characteristics against the seismic loading of GCP are excellent. As a result of analyzing the density distribution of the improved subsoil through density field logging, the overall density distribution gradually exhibits increasing trends in the order of unimproved subsoil and improved subsoil with SCP and GCP. Thus, the improvement effect of GCP was relatively high in comparison with the same replacement ratio of SCP.     

An Ensemble of Geostatistical Simulated Realizations Using a Clustering Algorithm to Reproduce Model-Based Statistics: Case Study of a Gravel Reserve at Kivalina,Alaska

This paper demonstrates the convergence of model-based statistics from multiple simulated realizations. Theoretically, the convergence of realization statistics is guaranteed over the number of realizations that are independent among themselves. The rate at which realization-based statistics converges with model-based statistics is important and must be assessed. However, due to poor selection of the random number generator, the generated realization might be far from mutual independence. We use the k-means clustering algorithm to select nearly independent realizations from a set of realization models. We apply the proposed algorithm to a coastal erosion problem in Alaska to estimate the amount of gravel.     

细粒含量对粗粒土冻胀特性影响的试验研究

为了得到同时满足冻胀率和击实效果的最大细粒土含量,通过葡氏击实和冻胀试验,研究了不同细粒土含量、不同干密度条件下细圆砾土填料的冻胀特性。研究结果表明,9%细粒土含量下细圆砾土试样的压实效果最好;细圆砾土试样的冻结过程可以划分为快速冻结区、过渡区、似稳定区和稳定区;细粒土含量低于10%时,细圆砾土属于弱冻胀填料;同时满足冻胀率和压实效果的最大细粒土含量为9%;细粒土含量相同时,细圆砾土试样的冻胀率随干密度的增加,先增大而后减小,即存在一个最不利干密度;冻结48 h后,细圆砾土试样冻土段的含水率均大于初始含水率,其不同位置含水率分布曲线呈S型,且随着细粒土含量的增加逐渐呈现倒三角形分布;细圆砾土试样干密度的增大有效地阻断了水分迁移路径。     

Bifurcation modelling in a meandering gravel–sand bed river

The Rhine bifurcation at Pannerden forms the major distribution point for water supply in the Netherlands, distributing not only water and sediment but also flooding risks and navigability. Its morphological stability has been a concern for centuries. We present experiences from more than two decades of numerical morphological modelling of this bifurcation with a gravel–sand bed and a meandering planform. Successive computations have shown the importance of upstream approach conditions, the necessity to include physical mechanisms for grain sorting and alluvial roughness, and the need to assume a thicker active layer of the river bed than is suggested by laboratory flume experiments using a constant discharge. The active layer must be thicker in the model to account for river bed variations due to higher‐frequency discharge variations that are filtered out in morphological modelling. We discuss limitations in calibration and verification, but argue that, notwithstanding these limitations, 2D and 3D morphological models are valuable tools, not only for pragmatic applications to engineering problems, but also for revealing the limitations of established knowledge and understanding of the relevant physical processes. The application of numerical models to the Pannerden bifurcation appeared to reveal shortcomings in established model formulations that do not pose particular problems in other cases. This application is therefore particularly useful for setting the agenda for further research. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

砾石覆盖对边界层风速梯度的影响

通过莫高窟窟顶野外风洞实验对不同覆盖度砾石床面风速梯度的变化规律进行了研究。结果表明,床面砾石平均高度以下风速梯度随砾石覆盖度变化比较杂乱,而砾石平均高度以上风速梯度随覆盖度增加呈现出有规律的变化。从覆盖度5%到35%风速逐渐减小, 40%~80%趋于稳定,35%最小。据此,大气边界层可明显分为两层,约以砾石平均高度为界,下层定义为粗糙亚层,上层定义为惯性亚层。粗糙亚层风速梯度随砾石间距高度比D/H值的变化同样比较杂乱;惯性亚层风速梯度随砾石间距高度比D/H值的变化规律比较一致:风速在D/H值0.3~1.5段趋于稳定,2.0~4.0段风速逐渐增大,1.5处风速最小。另外,对砾石床面不同高度阻风效应的计算表明,砾石床面的阻风作用在砾石床面表面附近最强(0.75 H~1.1 H),粗糙亚层阻风作用随高度增大而增大,惯性亚层阻风作用随高度增大逐渐减小。该粒径砾石阻风效应最优间距高度比D/H值为1.5,最优间距为3 cm,最优覆盖度为35%,为砾石防沙工程的铺设提供了一定的参考作用。     

碎石桩处理软土地基临界填筑高度的研究

目前计算碎石桩处理软土地基临界填筑高度的方法并不完善,没有考虑软基经碎石桩处理后复合地基强度的增加和地基排水固结能力的提高,基于此,依据固结理论,引入碎石桩复合地基固结计算的简化方法,修正按变形控制的临界填筑高度计算公式;并结合四川省遂-资高速公路软基变形监测数据,得出软基厚度在6.5～11.0 m范围内,观测所得的临界填筑高度为4.5～6.5 m,该观测值与修正公式计算值差异性不显著,证实所推导的解析式是切实可行的;在此基础上,初步探讨影响路堤临界填筑高度变化的因素,得出软基厚度、桩间距对其影响较为明显。     

Monitoring and numerical analysis of behaviour of Miaojiaba concrete-face rockfill dam built on river gravel foundation in China

This study evaluated the behaviour of a concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD) built on river gravel foundation on the basis of in-situ measurement records and numerical analysis. The monitoring records were obtained from a detailed deformation-monitoring system. A 3D finite element analysis was performed to assess long-term dam behaviour. The behaviour of the CFRD built on river gravel foundation was analysed comprehensively. A discussion of behaviour, especially with relevance to the behaviour of dams built on stiff-foundation, was included. The effect of the river gravel foundation was analysed, and the exact mechanisms were discussed. The relative contribution of various factors on the long-term behaviour of the CFRD was also studied. In-situ measurements were compared with numerical results to discuss the capability of the numerical model to predict the dam behaviour.