Secondary channels present a favourable opportunity for ecological restoration of the River Rhine and its branches. However, they have to be fitted into the landscape without affecting existing interests such as inland shipping and protection against flooding. Also the ecological targets have to be met with a minimum of human interference. In this article some design principles for secondary channels are presented in which these aspects are taken into account. To avoid silting up of the secondary channel it is recommended to prevent sediment from entering the channel at all. Flow velocities have to be below the threshold value for initiation of motion of sediment, but still high enough to satisfy the ecological targets. The secondary channel discharge is a function of the maximum allowable aggradation of the main channel. Discharge and flow velocities together determine the required cross-sectional area and thus the design value of the bank slopes. In order to have flowing water in the secondary channel all year round, the thalweg level is to be chosen on the basis of the water level frequency curve of the main channel.
Automatic cooling channel design for injection moulds
