Methodology for calculating shear stress in a meandering channel

Abstract

Shear stress in meandering channels is the key parameter to predict bank erosion and bend migration. A representative study reach of the Rio Grande River in central New Mexico has been modeled in the Hydraulics Laboratory at CSU. To determine the shear stress distribution in a meandering channel, the large scale (1:12) physical modeling study was conducted in the following phases: 1) model construction 2) data collection 3) data analysis, and 4) conclusion and technical recommendations. Data of flow depth, flow velocity in three velocity components (Vx, Vy and Vz) and bed shear stress using a Preston tube were collected in the laboratory.

Citation

Sin, Kyung-Seop. 2010. Methodology for calculating shear stress in a meandering channel. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 161 p. Thesis.