1,720,986 research outputs found
Hydrograph Shape Impact on Sand Infiltration and Sediment Transport Dynamics in Gravel-Bed Rivers
No full textSand (i.e., < 2 mm) infiltration into a gravel bed is recognized to affect sediment dynamics of coarser fractions (i.e., entrainment and transport rate), near-bed velocities, bed morphology, and to pose significant engineering and ecological issues. Local hydraulics, sediment dynamics, and sand infiltration into the gravel matrix are related and mutually affect each other in gravel-bed rivers. However, relatively little research has been done to explore sediment dynamics and sand infiltration in a mobile gravel-bed under unsteady flow conditions. In the present study, we experimentally simulated three hydrographs of different durations of rising and falling limbs, and monitored sand infiltration over beds with a coarse and a fine grain size distribution. Results confirmed that the addition of sand enhances sediment dynamics. Moreover, the shape of the rising limb of the hydrograph was responsible for altering identified sand infiltration processes and bedload rate. Short time-to-peak floods (i.e., short time from the start to the peak of the hydrograph) experienced higher sediment transport rates during the falling limb than the rising limb of the hydrograph, favoring sand infiltration. In contrast, long time-to-peak floods (i.e., long time from the start to the peak of the hydrograph) experienced higher sediment transport rates during the rising limb than the falling limb of the hydrograph, resulting in reduced sand infiltration
Local geomorphic effects in the presence of accumulations of different densities
No full textMobile components of dynamic river systems are varied, and more than fundamental water and sediment interactions must be considered to assess morphodynamic changes. Here, the effects of instream wood and plastic accumulations on the riverbed are modelled and assessed in the presence of a hydraulic structure. We observe a recent tendency towards considering instream wood and plastics as integral riverine system components. Such shift is driven by a multidisciplinary interest in instream wood and riverine plastic dynamics, including those addressing flood hazards and risk assessments. Like sediment, instream wood and plastics can be transported along the river channels during floods, increasing flooding risks and hazards by accumulating near hydraulic structures. Collection racks, a commonly encountered hydraulic structure, are used for trapping and removing various accumulated material, mitigating any potential risks. However, accumulations at collection racks can cause other risks because of potential backwater rise and local scour development. Accumulations of different densities, such as a combined presence of instream wood and plastics, add further complexity to the process understanding. In this study, a physical model is used to explore the geomorphic effects of accumulations of two different densities at a collection rack. Local geomorphic changes (i.e., scour and deposition), their evolution and the spatial extent around a vertical collection rack were analysed with Structure from Motion photogrammetry. The results show a strong relationship between the accumulation density and the hydraulic and geomorphic changes. Light floating material, forming accumulations closer to the water surface, are associated with the largest geomorphic changes, in contrast to dense material, forming accumulations close to the riverbed. In the presence of different densities, intermediate geomorphic changes were observed. Finally, to discuss the observations, we present a conceptual flow field for different scenarios of accumulation densities. Ultimately, outcomes from this work are essential to improve design practices for river managers
The role of vegetation and large wood on the topographic characteristics of braided river systems
No full textRiparian vegetation and large wood play a crucial role in shaping rivers. On the one hand, vegetation tends to increase bank stability, reduce channel width and reduce the braiding index in gravel-bed rivers. Conversely, large wood tends to increase channel dynamics and promote avulsions. The effects of vegetation and large wood have been rarely simulated together in flume experiments. In this paper we present a series of experimental runs conducted in a large flume facility, using cylindrical wooden dowels and alfalfa seedlings to represent logs and vegetation, respectively, in order to investigate their role on determining the topographical nature of braided river systems. A terrestrial laser scanner was used to measure in detail the topography of the channels and bars, and distribution of the elevations and second-order structure functions were used to explore the topography that large wood and vegetation imposed on the braided pattern in the flumes. Results show that vegetation reduced the braiding index and produced wider and deeper channels. The standard deviation of the bed elevations was higher than in flumes without vegetation. Large wood alone was not effective in changing the braiding index or the standard deviation of the elevations. When vegetation and large wood acted together in the flume, the braiding index reached a minimum value, and the skewness of the distribution of elevation increased, revealing shallower pools if compared with runs conducted with only vegetation
Brief communication: The curious case of the large wood-laden flow event in the Pocuro stream (Chile)
No full textLarge wood transported during extreme flood events can represent a relevant additional source of hazards that should be taken into account in mountain environments. However, direct observations and monitoring of large-wood transport during floods are difficult and scarce. Here we present a video of a flood characterised by multiple phases of large-wood transport, including an initial phase of wood-laden flow rarely described in the literature. Estimations of flow velocity and transported wood volume provide a good opportunity to develop models of large-wood-congested transport
Measuring the impact: new insights into flood-borne large wood collisions with river structures using an isolated sensor-unit
No full textLarge Wood (LW) transported during floods or channelized mass flows poses a high risk for engineered structures, often leading to significant damage or total failure of the impacted structure. To date little is known about impact magnitudes caused by LW collisions. To better control for such interactions, a better understanding of transport dynamics and impact forces is required. The present laboratory study employs state-of-the-art sensor units installed in scaled logs to capture acceleration data from collisions of waterborne LW with 2 in-stream structures—bridge pier and retention structure—each providing different examples of rigid engineered systems. Through precise measurements of acceleration and impact duration (stopping time), the resultant impact forces of LW collisions can be calculated. Here, for the first time, impact forces were quantified in a scaled stream environment based on the inertial frame of the object causing the impact, rather than the more commonly used instrumented structure approach. High-resolution accelerometer measurements were compared to conventional analytical (force balance) approaches. They revealed the need for accurate inertia measurements to appropriately account for prevailing hydraulic flow conditions and the effects of LW interactions in fluvial environments. Although log velocity and stopping time are crucial parameters for assessing LW impact forces, accurate measurements are still elusive due to limitations in available sensing techniques. By presenting proof-of-concept results, this study contributes to an improved understanding of LW impact forces during floods. Based on these encouraging results, we recommend more sensor-based field studies in future, needed for the design of resilient structures
Characteristics of fluvial islands along three gravel-bed rivers of North-Eastern Italy
No full textRiver islands are defined as discrete areas of woodland vegetation located in the riverbed and surrounded by either water-filled channels or exposed gravels, exhibiting some stability and remaining exposed during bank-full flows. Islands are very important from both morphological and ecological points of view, representing the most natural condition of a fluvial system and are strongly influenced by human impacts. This study aims at analyzing the morphological and vegetation characteristics of three different types of islands (pioneer, building and established) in three distinct rivers in the NE of Italy, affected by different intensities of human pressure. The study was conducted on several sub-reaches of the Piave, Brenta and Tagliamento rivers. The first is a gravel-bed river, which suffered intense and multiple human impacts, especially due to dam building and in-channel gravel mining. The same alterations can also be observed in the Brenta River, which also presents bank protections, hydropower schemes and water diversions. On the other hand, the Tagliamento River is a gravel-bed river characterized by a high level of naturality and very low human pressures. The analyses were conducted using aerial photographs and LiDAR data acquired in 2010 in order to define and distinguish the three different island types and to obtain a characterization of ground and vegetation features. The results suggest that the fluvial islands lie at different elevations and this fact implies a different resistance capacity during flood events. Pioneer islands and building islands lie at lower elevations than established islands causing a lower capacity to survive during considerable flood events, in fact in most cases those islands types were removed by ordinary floods. Established islands lie at higher elevations and only intense and infrequent flood events (Reccurence Interval> 10-15 years) are able to determine considerable erosions. Regarding the characteristics of vegetation, we can observe a strong distinction between the three types. Established islands always exhibit the greatest vegetation height and the presence of these plants, sometimes higher than 30 m, contributes to increase the resistance and the stability of these components of fluvial systems
Tracking log displacement during floods in the Tagliamento River using RFID and GPS tracker devices
No full textLarge pieces of in-channel wood can exert an important role on the ecological and morphological properties of gravel-bed rivers. On the other side, when transported during flood events, large wood can become a source of risk for sensitive structures such as bridges. However, wood displacement and velocity in river systems are still poorly understood, especially in large gravel-bed rivers. This study focuses on log transport in a valley reach of Tagliamento River (Italy). Log displacement during flood events of different magnitudes recorded from June 2010 to October 2011 has been analysed thanks to the installation of 113 radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and 42 GPS tracker devices in logs of different dimensions. Recovery rates of logs equipped with RFID and GPS trackers were about 43% and 42%, respectively. The GPS devices allowed us to analyse in details the log displacement and transport overtime, indicating a higher log entrainment during rising limb of hydrographs. The threshold for the entrainment of logs from low bars is around 40% of bankfull water stage. No clear relationship was found between the peak of flood and log displacement length and velocity. However, log displacement length and velocity appear significantly correlated to the ratio between the peak of flow and the water stage exceeding the flow duration curve for 25% of time (i.e. the ratio hmax/h25 ratio). Log deposition was observed to occur at the peak flow, and logs transported during ordinary events are preferably deposited on low bars. This study reveals the potentials of GPS tracker devices to monitor the entrainment and movements of logs in large gravel-bed rivers during floods. These observations could be useful for better planning of river management practices and strategies involving the use of large wood pieces and could help for calibrating wood budgets at the reach scale
Misura dei coefficienti idrodinamici di bottiglie in plastica con orientamento variabile
No full textRusty river: Effects of tufa precipitation on sediment entrainment in the Estero Morales in the central Chilean Andes
No full textRivers and streams continuously shape and reform their channels through the transport of sediment. One of the most important parameter used to assess this transformation is the threshold for incipient grain motion. To date, limited studies have reported that several biotic and abiotic factors can affect this parameter. However, the effects of tufa precipitation on sediment entrainment and dynamics are still unexplored. The Estero Morales is an Andean stream in Central Chile affected by the phenomenon of tufa precipitation during the winter. Along the wetted channels, tufa precipitate creates a thin solid layer that covers the sediments. A series of field surveys and flume experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of tufa precipitation on the initiation of motion and sediment dynamics. Along the wetted areas of the river, a portable dynamometer was used to explore the force needed to dislocate the grains affected by tufa precipitation from the surrounding sediments. Flume experiments were conducted to compare the incipient motion of sediment covered by tufa precipitation with unaffected sediment. Geochemical analyses were conducted to study the precipitate chemistry, mineralogy and texture. The results demonstrate that greater force is needed to move sediment particles affected by tufa precipitation compared to unaffected ones. In addition, lower sediment transport rates were measured on sediment affected by tufa precipitation, especially for the largest sediment size. These results could have important implications for studies concerning sediment dynamics and contaminant fate in the environment. Moreover, the results allow us to make some assumptions regarding the long-term role that tufa precipitation can play in rivers. Such analysis can help us to better understand and predict the changes in sediment transport rates due to tufa precipitation
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