Title: The use of plastic media in a movable bed model to study sedimentary processes in rivers
Authors: Jean René Thélusmond; Lizette R. Chevalier; Bruce A. DeVantier
Addresses: Departments of Physical Science and Humanities, John A Logan College, Carterville, IL 62918, USA ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901, USA ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, 62901, USA
Abstract: The use of plastic media was evaluated for modelling sedimentary processes in rivers using a movable bed model (MBM). From gradations within the range of 0.17-2 mm, the size of the thermoset plastic media was colour coded in order to better visualise complex flow processes. Equations developed by Engelund-Hansen and Schoklitsch were used to predict sediment transport and establish the type of bed channel typified by the media. Similitude and scaling principles were used in order to evaluate the applicability of the equations, the media, and the overall use of the movable bed model. Based on the physical properties of the media and data collected during simulations, the results suggest that the thermoset plastic media can be used to model coarse sand and gravel in MBM.
Keywords: movable bed model; MBM; similitude; scaling; thermoset plastics; plastic media; sediment transport; process modelling; sedimentary processes; visualisation; coarse sand; gravel.
DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2013.057622
International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2013 Vol.3 No.2, pp.93 - 110
Published online: 12 Jul 2014 *
Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article