2011

River Flow
Lab Experiment
This experiment was carried out on the 17th of October in the Fluids Lab. We simulated a river flowing and studied how it performs under different flow patterns, the results of which are inside this report.

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Joe McCormack Environmental Engineering, Civil 4 17th - Oct - 2011

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Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

River Flow 1
This project was conducted to see the affects of Geomorphology. Our experiment simulated a river flowing with a bank either side. The Hydrology bench was the apparatus used to simulate this process. The bench is an effective method of visualising and measuring data, even though it is a controlled environment, nevertheless the Hydrology bench can be important in the study and consideration of river engineering. On some occasions the bench

matter under consideration. We used Silica sand, instead of any soils, to introduce Geomorphology as a subject. It is obvious to note that the water flow would have more an effect on sand rather than a cohesive soil. The apparatus was set up and water flow began about an hour before we entered the class, this was just to speed up the process due to time constraints. The sand was parched prior to any water flow. During the hour, the water was allowed permeate the sand and travel down a channel which was man-made by a trowel (60mm wide approx.). An important note that I made immediately was the difference between the inflow rate being 1.5 l/min, and the outflow rate being 2.0 l/min. Firstly I thought it might have something to with the bench being at a gradient of 1%, then our supervisor informed us that as a result of the water flow running for an hour, the groundwater saturates the tank of sand and leads to the surplus 0.5 l/min exiting, making it appear as 2.0 l/min. We were instructed to take the flow rate as 1.5 l/min.

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imported soil, artificial bridge abutments and artificial weirs being the subject

is set up as an exact scaled representation of a site with detail such as

Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

We started to examine and measure data from the set piece, we split the bench into three almost equal sections. We then examined each cross-section by taking measurements, concentrating on..... Flood Plain Width (a) Channel Width (b) Height to line of saturation (c) Height from channel bed to top of bench (d)

Illustrated below....

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Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

Flow @ 1.5 l/min Dim. Cross Section 1 470mm 60mm 80mm 130mm Cross Section 2 400mm 55mm 103mm 40mm Cross Section 3 380mm 130mm 75mm 50mm

a. b. c. d.

As we can see, there is considerable difference between the same dimensions in

three sections, we see a difference of 70mm getting narrow at the outflow. In my opinion, the fact that the inlet was at low velocity meant it had a better

the length. I think the velocity of the flow (as it increased), which is coherently

trench was constructed at the start with the trowel, it was not excavated with any particular levels in mind, you could visually identify the trench dipping quicker after the 2nd cross section, not a flaw but rather a random act.

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increased over the length. However, the main reason was the fact that when the

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linked to the transport of sediment, was partly the reason the channel depth

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The d. dimension (height from channel bed to top of bench) also increased over

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a narrow line, getting narrower over the full length of the bench (2m).

flow then built momentum and velocity and the line of flow was concentrated to

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chance to spread over a wider area and broke down the sand banks easier. The

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different cross-sections. If we consider the b. dimension (channel width), in the

Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

Above is a trend line obtained from the piezometer @ 1.5 l/min, just before we

At this stage we had collected all relevant information necessary so we decided

same reasons as stated before.

river model. The transport of sediment was very evident now, compared to

test. It was all happening very quick but not that quick that you werent warned where the next bank would give way. With everyone concentrating on the rate of failure of the banks, there was something else very interesting happening or about to happen. The sinuosity of the river model was changing with very evident curves developing in the sequence. This also was changing rapidly, I noticed the channel bed changing/morphing and eddy currents were developing along the insides of the bends. It was an event which you had to stand back from to understand clearly, there was a lot happening collectively.

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transport took its toll. The stability of the banks was clearly being put to the

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before where it moved quite slowly. It wasnt long before the rate of sediment

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Almost instantaneously there were significant changes in the morphology of the

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the other end of the bench to find the flow out, it was at 3.8 l/min, for the

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to increase the inlet flow from 1.5 l/min to 3 l/min, again I quickly ran around to

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rather show what shape the trend line was.

were to increase the flow rate. We decided not to measure the heights but

Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

Just before we were to wrap up the experiment, we had some time left over so

before @ 1.5 l/min. Flow @ 3.0 l/min Dim. Cross Section 1 470mm 120mm 60mm

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Cross Section 2 400mm 125mm 35mm 75mm

c. d.

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we decided to measure the same dimensions, in the same planes, as we did

Cross Section 3 380mm 150mm 40mm 70mm

Comparing both sets of dimensions it is clear that with an increase of flow, our channel got deeper (d.) and there was a significant increase in the channel width (b.). The banks collapsed leading to the channel width increase and the depth change was as a result of transportation of sediment. The ground water levels increased which we could see in the saturation line swell (c.).

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Joe McCormack

River Flow 1

Environmental Engineering

The piezometer readings confirmed what we were visualizing on the bench, here is the trend line discovered.....

team brought to the table. The Hydrology bench is an ideal piece of apparatus which can give us indication of what could happen at a particular location under the same circumstances. Visually it is brilliant because it really hits home the

Some of the highlights of the experiment included the transport of sediment at both low at high flow, with a significant increase on high flow. The process of sinuosity occurring was an impressive visual experience. The failure of bank stability was something which brought it all home about the traitorous nature of river banks and how safety and care should be given, particularly with pedestrians walking along a river bank. I witnessed undermining of banks which in turn resulted in this bank failure. It may also be considered when building adjacent river banks with the possibility of flooding impacting on the building and possible foundation collapse as very real potential.

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graph results obtained from the experiment.

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are only being introduced to this topic. The collective data also allows us to

implications of river morphology and actions, especially for us as students who

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This experiment was carried out successfully by the effort each member of the