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Interference processes on scouring at bed sills
Author(s) -
Lenzi Mario A.,
Marion Andrea,
Comiti Francesco
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
earth surface processes and landforms
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.294
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1096-9837
pISSN - 0197-9337
DOI - 10.1002/esp.433
Subject(s) - sill , flume , alluvium , geology , geomorphology , geotechnical engineering , hydrology (agriculture) , bed load , sediment transport , sediment , petrology , flow (mathematics) , geometry , mathematics
Abstract The local scouring downstream of bed sills forming a sequence for bed stabilization in steep channels has been investigated in a laboratory flume. The initial bed slopes ranged from 0·078 to 0·148. The bed alluvium was characterised by a non‐uniform grain size distribution. The results show that when the ratio between the critical water depth h c and the sill spacing L rises above a characteristic value the scouring dynamics become heavily affected by the presence of the downstream sill, associated with the onset of a form of “interference” which renders the scouring process less effective. The difference with an “undisturbed” case is demonstrated. Self‐affinity of scour holes is confirmed and the scour length appears to be the reference parameter from which the scour depth might be evaluated. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.