Determining Pothole Location in Sinous Channels

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Abstract

Bed load in curved rivers usually move from outer to inner curve as a result of helical flows due to curvature. Hence, there will be a chance to have flows with lower sediment around outer curves which will result in water flow diversion. Moreover, water depth will increase around the outer curve of the river following erosion occurring at this part and bed load will consequently move at a higher depth than of the entrance of intake. Therefore, impoundment condition will grow at the part of the curve at which helical flow reaches its maximum intensity and makes a more appropriate section as intake location.
The present research deals with the process of locating such a point in some model with a trapezoidal section through continuous injection of sediment (bed load) in a sinuous channel form. The results show that the place of pothole formation as well as some other relevant parameters is a function of Froud number of the approach flow in up the curve. The location of helical flow maturity or the part at which the most rate of scouring and deepest part occurs, moves from downstream to upstream of the flow in curve with the increase in Froud number.