Laboratory measurements of the erodibility of gravelly soils

The critical shear stress and erodibility of soil are fundamental parameters for modeling embankment breaching. Unfortunately, very few studies have examined the erosion characteristics of soils consisting predominantly of particles larger than sand. This report presents results of an experimental study in which the erosion characteristics of gravelly soils were measured. A flume apparatus was developed in which 0.45-m-square samples were extruded into confined flow. A mechanical laser system allowed the measurement of scour in real time, resulting in a continuous and automated erosion test. The critical shear stress of a uniform gravel was found to match the expected values based on the Shields diagram, while tests that were composed largely of gravel but contained other soils, such as sand, silt, and clay, varied significantly with the critical shear stress and erodibility, depending highly on the characteristics of the finer soils.

Study of Wall Static Pressure Distribution on Flat Surface by Impinging Submerged Jet from Non-circular Orifice

The distribution of wall static and stagnation (CP and CPO) pressure coefficient on a flat rectangular element by impinging air jet from the hexagonal orifice is obtained from experimentation. The past research studies helped to identify key parameters such as orifice geometry, jet exit-to-plate-distance (Z/dj), test section inclination (θ), jet Reynold number (Re), lateral distance-to-jet diameter (X/dj), test surface type and geometry, for better and acceptable results. The experimental outcome helps to know the effect of identified key parameters on wall static and stagnation pressure on a rectangular test plate in a confined flow path. The independent nature of wall static pressure is observed for all jet Reynold number (10000 ≤ Re ≤ 50000). Higher pressure coefficient values were observed at lower Z/dj = 1, X/dj = 0 and θ = 0. A significant drop in CP values are seen with the increase in Z/dj, X/dj and θ. The experimental CP and CPO contribution of confined flow are compared against the unconfined flow, around 48% to 58% enhancement is observed when confinement is used. Experimental pressure drop measurements across orifice were made and pressure loss coefficient (PC) for hexagonal orifice of confined and unconfined condition are reported.