Unit stream power for sediment transport in natural rivers

Yang, Chih Ted; Stall, John B.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90150 Copy

Description

Title

Unit stream power for sediment transport in natural rivers

Author(s)

• Yang, Chih Ted
• Stall, John B.

Contributor(s)

• Illinois State Water Survey
• Azma, Jahangir
• Chung, Mu Jin
• Sevuk, Ahmet Suha
• Shen, Yung-Yuan

Issue Date

1974-07

Keyword(s)

• Water resources center
• Water resources center--Illinois
• Hydrology and hydraulics
• Incipient motion
• Open channel hydraulics
• Rivers
• Sediment transport
• Unit stream power

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

The relationship between rate of sediment transport and rate of potential energy expenditure has been studied in detail. Unit stream power, defined as the time rate of potential energy expenditure per unit weight of water, is shown to be the dominant factor in the determination of total sediment concentration. Basic concepts in fluid mechanics and boundary layer theory are used to establish the flow condition at incipient motion. Two equations that provide simple and direct criteria for incipient motion are found. These equations are verified by 153 sets of data independently collected by eight investigators. A dimensionless unit stream power equation is found for the prediction of total sediment concentration for both laboratory flumes and natural rivers. 'This equation not only provides a good estimation of the total sediment concentration in an alluvial channel but also correctly reflects the effects of the variations of particle size, water depth, and water temperature on total sediment concentration. Data collected from six natural rivers and more than one thousand sets of laboratory data are used in supporting this equation. Data collected from 17 regular gaging stations on natural rivers also indicate that unit stream power dominates the rate of sediment transport.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90150

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Geological Survey

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1974 held by Chih Ted Yang, John B. Stall

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