Title: Laboratory analysis of the hydrogeological behaviour of rock loose structures on pervious beds

Authors: Stefano Pagliara; Iacopo Carnacina

Addresses: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Gabba No. 22, Pisa, 56126, Italy. ' Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pisa, Via Gabba No. 22, Pisa, 56126, Italy

Abstract: Large flow interchanges occur between free surface and subsurface flows of river training structures, such as in rock loose chutes based on pervious beds. The filtering action of the base pervious layer can improve the water quality but, at the mean time, reduce the minimum vital flow discharge. This paper, hence, aims to analyse the flow interchanges between the base material and the surface flow in presence of rock loose river structures (block ramps or rock chutes). Tests have been carried out in macro-roughness conditions for slopes ranging from 0.125 to 0.25. Different seepage inlet and outlet conditions have been tested in order to asses their influence on the maximum seepage capacity of both stilling basin and ramp base material. Finally, the effect of the seepage on the energy dissipation which occurs along the ramp has been studied.

Keywords: loose rock structures; pervious river beds; hydrology; macroroughness; boundary conditions; flow interchange; base material; surface flow; block ramps; rock chutes; seepage; energy dissipation; hydrogeological behaviour; water quality; vital flow discharge.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2012.045936

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2012 Vol.2 No.1, pp.1 - 21

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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