Author(s): Jochen Aberle; Martin Henning; Bernd Hentsche
Linked Author(s): Jochen Aberle
Keywords: Dunes; Curved channel; Sediment transport; Random field approach
Abstract: Sediment transport over bed forms, in general, and dunes, in particular, still presents a major obstacle in the solution of sedimentation problems in alluvial channels. Thus, a better understanding of dunes is required in regard to the development of sustainable management strategies and design of structures in the fluvial environment and navigable rivers. So far, most studies related to dune dynamics have been carried out in straight laboratory flumes and relatively few studies are available on dune dynamics in curved river sections. This paper presents preliminary results of a study carried out at the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), Germany, in an 80 m long physical scale model of the Oder River using polystyrene grains instead of sand as movable bed material. In the experiments, bed topography was measured in a curved and straight section with high spatial and temporal resolution using a novel 3D-photogrammetric measurement system. The time series are statistically analyzed on the basis of the random field approach. The statistical parameters obtained for the curved section are compared to the parameters of the straight section. The influence of river regulation structures on dune topography and dynamics as well as sediment transport are highlighted.
Year: 2010