A model for predicting the bed load in ephemeral rivers

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• K. Esmaili ¹
• M. Shafai Bejestan ²
• M. Kashefipoor ²

¹ College of Agricltur, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

² Chamran University

10.22067/jsw.v0i22.1020

Abstract

Abstract
To investigate the effective parameters and simulate the conditions under which sediments are transported in ephemeral rivers and compare it to perennial rivers a series of experiments were performed in a laboratory flume. The hydrodynamic equations were solved for initial and boundary conditions using numerical method. Triangle hydrographs with time duration of 40, 60 and 80 seconds and five different flow rates for each situation were considered. Three slopes of 0.006, 0.014 and 0.018 were selected. A fine and uniform sand with d50 of 1.5, 2.1 and 3 mm from river materials was used as the mobile bed. Clean water (with no sediment) was used. The results of 85 experiments showed that the bed slope was the most important parameter in sediment transportation and it could be used for predicting the sediment transport. The base time of hydrograph was also found to have an effective role in sediment transport, and the results showed that by increasing the base time the transported sediment was decreased. The bed form had a big role on the flow resistance and also affected the sediment transport. The sediment ratio of unsteady to steady flow found in this research was found to be similar with those of Tun Lee.

Key words: Ephemeral rivers, Perennial rivers, Bed load, Sediment

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