Hydraulic parameters in channels with wall vegetation and gravel bed

In this experimental study,field observations and laboratory experiments have been carried out to assess the impacts of the vegetated channel walls and aspect ratio on flow velocity profiles,shear stress distribution and roughness coefficient of channel.Results show that the presence of vegetation cover on channel wall causes deviation of the Reynolds stress distribution from the linear one under uniform flow condition.It is also noticed that the Reynolds stress distribution is influenced by the aspect rati...     

DESERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT USING THE ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS AND GIS IN SOUTHEAST IRAN

Studying the factors influencing desertification progress of a region and its resulting zoning can be effective in helping to reduce the damage of this phenomenon. This study attempted to investigate the factors influencing desertification progress; hence, it proceeded to zone Sistan and Baluchestan Province using three analytic hierarchy processes, Expert Choice software and a geographic information system. First, factors affecting desertification progress were checked and they were then used to determine the most important aspects in order of priority as follows: climatic elements (temperature, evaporation, wind, precipitation and humidity), morphology (topography and slope) and human factors (land cover). Then, a zoning map of desertification‐prone lands was prepared. The results showed that, in terms of hazard progress of these lands, there were five desertification hazard regions in Sistan and Baluchestan Province with an area of about 187 502 km² and high hazard regions covering approximately 29.2% of the province were located in the north of the province. High hazard regions with an approximate area of 3.20% of the total area of the province were mostly located in Saravan, Khash, and the surrounding areas; medium hazard regions with an approximate area of 19.6% were in Iranshahr and the southeastern part of the province; low hazard regions with an area of about 18.2% were in the southern parts of the province; and very low hazard regions with an approximate area of 12.7% were in Nikshahr and the southern parts of the province.     

Nonlinear genetic-based simulation of soil shear strength parameters

New nonlinear solutions were developed to estimate the soil shear strength parameters utilizing linear genetic programming (LGP). The soil cohesion intercept (c) and angle of shearing resistance (ϕ) were formulated in terms of the basic soil physical properties. The best models were selected after developing and controlling several models with different combinations of influencing parameters. Comprehensive experimental database used for developing the models was established upon a series of unconsolidated, undrained, and unsaturated triaxial tests conducted in this study. Further, sensitivity and parametric analyses were carried out. c and ϕ were found to be mostly influenced by the soil unit weight and liquid limit. In order to benchmark the proposed models, a multiple least squares regression (MLSR) analysis was performed. The validity of the models was proved on portions of laboratory results that were not included in the modelling process. The developed models are able to effectively learn the complex relationship between the soil strength parameters and their contributing factors. The LGP models provide a significantly better prediction performance than the regression models.     

Clear-water scour around semi-elliptical abutments with armored beds

Experimental study has been carried out under a clear-water scour condition to explore the local scour around semi-elliptical model bridge abutments with armor-layer bed, compared with the local scour process around semi-circular abutment. Two types of model bridge abutments, namely semi-elliptical and semi-circular abutments have been used in this experimental study. The model abutments had a ratio of streamwise length of abutment to the length of abutment transverse to the flow of 2 for semi-circular abutments and 3 for semi-elliptical abutments. In total, 50 Experiments have been designed and conducted under different flow conditions such as bed shear velocities, flow depth, and dimensions of bridge abutment model, as well as grain size of the bed material. Based on these experiments, the scour process around bridge abutments has been assessed. The dependence of the equilibrium scour depth of the scour hole on hydraulic variables has been studied. Empirical equation describing the equilibrium scour depth of the scour hole around bridge abutments has been developed.     

Reduction of local scour around bridge pier groups using collars

In this paper reduction of scour around group of two and three piers using circular collar has been carried out for the case of clear-water flow over uniform sediment. The efficiency of collars, with different sizes and spaces between piers is studied through experiments in group of two and three piers. The result reveals that collar has more influence in reduction of scour depth in rear piers than the first pier. Also, when the spacing between the piers increases the area without protection between the piers is washed away resulting deeper scour holes at the rear piers.     

Effects of vegetation channel banks and gravel size on flow structure

Vegetation on river banks and bed roughness are important factors affecting flow structure, sediment transport, erosion and geomorphology in rivers. In this experimental study, the impacts of vegetation on flume walls, grain size of bed gravels and aspect ratio on characteristics of shear stress distribution, Coles' wake parameter, the kinematic energy correction factor (α) and the momentum correction factor (β) have been assessed. Reynolds stress distribution illustrates a three-layer pattern when the aspect ratio is smaller than 2. In addition, the aspect ratio and changes of vegetation affect α, β as well as the Coles' wake parameter Π.     

Effects of accelerating and decelerating flows in a channel with vegetated banks and gravel bed

Experiments were conducted in an 8 m long,40 cm wide,and 60 cm deep re-circulating fiume with vegetated banks and gravel bed to study the effects of accelerating and decelerating flows on the flow stru...