Flow over bedforms in a large sand-bed river: A field investigation

Journal of Hydraulic Research
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Abstract

An experimental field study of flows over bedforms was conducted on the Missouri River near St. Charles, Missouri. Detailed velocity data were collected under two different flow conditions along bedforms in this sand-bed river. The large river-scale data reflect flow characteristics similar to those of laboratory-scale flows, with flow separation occurring downstream of the bedform crest and flow reattachment on the stoss side of the next downstream bedform. Wave-like responses of the flow to the bedforms were detected, with the velocity decreasing throughout the flow depth over bedform troughs, and the velocity increasing over bedform crests. Local and spatially averaged velocity distributions were logarithmic for both datasets. The reach-wise spatially averaged vertical-velocity profile from the standard velocity-defect model was evaluated. The vertically averaged mean flow velocities for the velocity-defect model were within 5% of the measured values and estimated spatially averaged point velocities were within 10% for the upper 90% of the flow depth. The velocity-defect model, neglecting the wake function, was evaluated and found to estimate thevertically averaged mean velocity within 1% of the measured values.  

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Flow over bedforms in a large sand-bed river: A field investigation
Series title Journal of Hydraulic Research
DOI 10.3826/jhr.2008.3040
Volume 46
Issue 3
Year Published 2008
Language English
Publisher International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research
Contributing office(s) Office of Surface Water
Description 12 p.
First page 322
Last page 333
Country United States
State Missouri
City St. Charles
Other Geospatial Missouri River
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