CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Prediction of Flow Depth and Sediment Discharge in Open Channels

Citation

Brownlie, William Robert (1982) Prediction of Flow Depth and Sediment Discharge in Open Channels. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/100Z-Z157. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12192006-152351

Abstract

In recent years attempts have been made to develop numerical models for unsteady flows in channels with sediment transport. This work was conducted to analyze two essential ingredients of any numerical model: the relationship between the hydraulic variables (slope, depth, and velocity), and the predictor of sediment concentration.

A data base containing 7027 records (5263 laboratory records and 1764 field records) in 77 data files was assembled and is provided (Appendix B). The data base was used to examine existing relationships and to develop new ones. Six existing hydraulic relationships are reworked and examined. Detailed statistical analyses are provided for 13 existing techniques for predicting sediment concentration.

Relying heavily on statistical analysis of dimensionless groups, new relationships have been developed. The new hydraulic relationship solves for flow depth for upper and lower regime flow separately and then provides a method for determining which flow regime one might expect. The new method for predicting sediment transport, which is easy to use, appears to be more accurate than the 13 existing methods, and suggests that complex procedures for calculating concentration are not warranted.

A four-point implicit finite difference scheme has been presented to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the new hydraulic and sediment relationships to a numerical solution of the differential equations.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Channel Design; Friction Factor; Hydraulics; Open Channel Flow; Sediment Transport; Sediment Transport Formula; Sedimentation; Unsteady Flow
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Civil Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Brooks, Norman H.
Thesis Committee:
  • Brooks, Norman H. (chair)
  • Jennings, Paul C.
  • Koh, Robert C. Y.
  • Raichlen, Fredric
  • Vanoni, Vito A.
Defense Date:30 November 1981
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSFENG 77-10182
NSFCME 79-20311
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-12192006-152351
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-12192006-152351
DOI:10.7907/100Z-Z157
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechKHR:KH-R-43BRelated Item W. M. Keck Laboratory of Hydraulics and Water Resources Technical Report 43B
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:5064
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:08 Jan 2007
Last Modified:15 May 2020 00:03

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

50MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page