Quantification of shear stress in a meandering native topographic channel using a physical hydraulic model

Abstract

Current guidelines for predicting increases in shear stress in open-channel bends were developed from investigations that were primarily prismatic in cross section. This study provides possible increases in shear stress relative to approach flow conditions resulting from planimetric and topographic geometric features. Boundary shear stress estimates were determined by several methods utilizing acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) and Preston tube data in a physical model of a full meander representing native topographic features found in the Middle Rio Grande. Methods examined include: the law of the wall, Preston tube, turbulent Reynolds stress approximations, and a turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) proportionality constant approach.

Citation

Ursic, Michael E. 2011. Quantification of shear stress in a meandering native topographic channel using a physical hydraulic model. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 154 p. Thesis.