Project Number: 6408-13000-012-06
Project Type: Specific C/A

Start Date: Mar 05, 1999
End Date: Mar 04, 2004

Objective:
To improve understanding of the Morphodynamics of failed material at the toe of retreating banks and to use this understanding to develop a more accurate numerical model of bank toe erosion, bank stability, and width adjustment in unstable channels. This research will help to develop strategies for river basin management in DEC and other unstable channel systems to mitigate against problems caused by upstream erosion and downstream deposition.

Approach:
Conduct field and laboratory experimentation: (A) fluvial entrainment of blocks located at the bank toe which consists on: evaluation of sheer stress produced by the current evaluation of critical shear strees of the blocks assessment of an eventual apparent cohesion between the blocks and the substrate; (B) assessment of block size reduction due to weathering processes and fluvial scour; (C) monitoring of erosion and deposition of materials in the bank toe region including rate of failure debris; (D) effect of blocks on bank impining forces, under controlled conditions; (E) development of a channel evolution model and its application to other unstable channels. Laboratory experiments on weathering, break-up, entrainment and transport of failed bank material debris will be accomplished by using flume and rainfall simulator of the NSL. This research is of extreme importance for the mission of the NSL to help understand and predict erosion mechanism and processes that cause land loss.

Project Team

Simon, Andrew Colin Thorne - Professor Of Physical Geography (662)232-2918

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001   FY 2000   FY 1999

Related National Programs

Water Quality & Management (201)