Comparison Between Numerical Flow3d Software and Laboratory Data, For Sediment Incipient Motion.

In this paper, the laboratory data were compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Flow3D for predicting the beginning of sediment incipient motion in rigid boundary channel for two types of sands, irrigation, and sewer types, in rectangular flume (0.5*0.5)m cross-section. Tests were made for soil samples with different diameters, specific weights. The testing was performed in slopes ranging from 0.001-0.003 for irrigation types and 0.0025-0.025 for sewer types depending on the original parameter. The Flow-3D software has simulated the laboratory work using scouring models MPM and Nielsen. the relation between sediment incipient motion velocity, particle size, and channel bed slope was predicted. The results were relatively more than laboratory data for the MPM model, while grating convergence for Nielsen model, especially for small diameter sediment. Also, the laboratory results are more close to the results of Flow3D using the Nielsen model when the value of bed slope of the channel is greater, and vice versa when the slope decreases.

The Role of 2D Seepage on Sediment Incipient Motion around a Pipeline

Pipelines have been used as one of the main transportation methods for the offshore industry, with increasing activities in marine resources recently. Prediction of seabed instability is one of key factors that must be taken into consideration for an offshore pipeline project. As the first step of the scour process, sediment incipient motion has been intensively studied in the past. Most previous investigations didn’t consider the wave-induced seepage in the elevation of sediment motion. In this paper, two-dimensional seepage was considered to modify the conventional Shields number and its associated impact on sediment incipient motion around the trenched pipeline was investigated. Both flat and sloping seabeds are considered. The numerical results indicated that a peak or valley of the modified Shields number was formed below the pipeline and horizontal seepage flow tremendously impact the sediment motion in the vicinity of the pipeline. Parametric analysis concludes: the influence of the seepage around the pipeline becomes more significant in a large wave, shallow water in a seabed with large shear modulus and permeability, and larger pipeline diameter and smaller flow gap ratio. This will make soil particles be more easily dragged away from the seabed.

Suction Removal of Cohesionless Sediment

The theoretical analysis of sediment scour in vertical direction caused by a vertical suction inlet is presented here. The predictive formulas of the critical inlet height of particle initial motion and scour depth in equilibrium state are expressed as Froude type relations based on the phenomenological theory of turbulence and the momentum transfer hypothesis between fluid and grain. The experimental data of the literature shows good consistency with the theoretical relationship, and the physical mechanism is clear. In addition, the discussion for the applicability of the predictive formula in an extensive range of Reynolds numbers reveals that the sediment incipient motion can be excellently explained by the energy spectrum of the phenomenological theory. Then the theoretical errors in different flow regions are investigated. The research presents universal relevance and reference value for similar research and application.

Applications of ultrasound imaging system for measuring water-sand parameters during sediment transport process in hydraulic model experiments

Moving particles and the topographic bed under muddy water or in sediment-laden flow are often clouded by suspended sediments, making it hard to detect or analyze for visualization. This paper concerns applications of ultrasound imaging measurement method for the visual measurement of related water-sand parameters during sediment transport process in hydraulic model experiments. We use a B-mode ultrasound imaging system to measure the related parameters of suspended sediment concentration (SSC), underwater topographic riverbed, flow velocity and sediment incipient motion, conducted at a water channel. A comprehensive measuring system for the visualization of multiple water-sand parameters is established. Results show that the measurement and analysis of SSC and its space distribution, topography bedform, flow velocity and flow field, and sediment incipient velocity can be realized. Ultrasound imaging measurements of SSC and their space distribution can be shown in real time, and also dynamic monitoring and analysis of sediment incipient motion and topography bedform during the sediment transport process. This method realizes the experimental visualization of the topographic bed and sediment-laden flow. Application of an ultrasound imaging measurement system has promoted the development of sediment movement law research and related hydraulic model experiment measurement technique.