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Mudflow rheology in a vertically rotating flume

By: , and 
Edited by: French Richard H.

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Abstract

Joint research by the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Missouri-Rolla currently (1990) is being conducted on a 3.05 meters in diameter vertically rotating flume used to simulate mudflows under steady-state conditions. Observed mudflow simulations indicate flow patterns in the flume are similar to those occurring in natural mudflows. Variables such as mean and surface velocity, depth, and average boundary shear stress can be measured in this flume more easily than in the field or in a traditional tilting flume. Sensitive variables such as sediment concentration, grain-size distribution, and Atterberg limits also can be precisely and easily controlled. A known Newtonian fluid, SAE 30 motor oil, was tested in the flume and the computed value for viscosity was within 12.5 percent of the stated viscosity. This provided support that the data from the flume can be used to determine the rheological properties of fluids such as mud. Measurements on mud slurries indicate that flows with sediment concentrations ranging from 81 to 87 percent sediment by weight can be approximated as Bingham plastic for strain rates greater than 1 per second. In this approximation, the yield stress and Bingham viscosity were extremely sensitive to sediment concentration. Generally, the magnitude of the yield stress was large relative to the change in shear stress with increasing mudflow velocity.
Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Mudflow rheology in a vertically rotating flume
ISBN 0872627713
Year Published 1990
Language English
Publisher Publ by ASCE
Publisher location Boston, MA, United States
Larger Work Title Hydraulics/Hydrology of Arid Lands
First page 212
Last page 217
Conference Title Proceedings of the International Symposium on Hydraulics/Hydrology of Arid Lands and 1990 National Conference on Hydraulic Engineering
Conference Location San Diego, CA, USA
Conference Date 30 July 1990 through 2 August 1990
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