Sediment Transport

in Open Channels
Sediment Transport
 Sediment is any particulate matter that can be
transported by fluid flow and which eventually is
deposited as a layer of solid particles on the bed
or bottom of a body of water or other liquid.

 The generic categories of sediments is as

follows
 Gravel
 Sand
 Silt
 Clay
Contents
1. Properties of Water and Sediment
2. Incipient Motion Criteria and Application
3. Resistance to flow and bed forms
4. Bed Load Transport
5. Suspended Load Transport
6. Total Load Transport
7. Collection and analysis of field data
Reference: SEDIMENT TRANSPORT Theory and Practice
By: Chih Ted Yang
1. Properties of Water and
Sediment
1. Properties of Water and Sediment
 1.1 Introduction
 The science of sediment transport deals with the interrelationship
between flowing water and sediment particles and therefore
understanding of the physical properties of water and sediment is
essential to our study of sediment transport.
 1.2 Terminology
 Density: Mass per unit volume
 Specific weight: Weight per unit volume
 γ=ρg (1.1)
 Specific gravity: It is the ratio of specific weight of given material to
the specific weight of water at 4oC or 32.2oF. The average specific
gravity of sediment is 2.65
 Nominal Diameter: It is the diameter of sphere having the same
volume as the particle.
 Sieve Diameter: It is the diameter of the sphere equal to length of
side of a square sieve opening through which the particle can just
pass. As an approximation, the sieve diameter is equal to nominal
diameter.
1. 2 Terminology
 Fall Diameter: It is the diameter of a sphere that has a specific
gravity of 2.65 and has the same terminal fall velocity as the particle
when each is allowed to settle alone is a quiescent (still), distilled
water. The Standard fall diameter is determined at a water
temperature of 24oC.
 Fall Velocity: It is the average terminal settling velocity of particle
falling alone in a quiescent distilled water of infinite extent. When the
fall velocity is measure at 24oC, it is called Standard Fall Velocity.
 Angle of Repose: It is the angle of slope formed by a given material
under the condition of incipient sliding.
 Porosity: This the measure of volume of voids per unit volume of
sediment
Vv Vt  Vs
p  (1.2)
Vt Vt
Where: p= Porosity, Vv =Volume of Voids, Vt = Total Volume of Sediment
Vs = Volume of Sediment excluding that due to Voids
1. 2 Terminology
 Viscosity: It is the degree to which a fluid resist flow under an applied
force. Dynamic viscosity is the constant of proportionality relating the
shear stress and velocity gradient.
du
  (1.3)
dy
du
Where:  Shear Stress,   Dynamic Viscosity,  Velocity Gradient
dy

 Kinematic Viscosity: is the ratio between dynamic viscosity and fluid

density

 (1.4)

Where:  Kinematic Viscosity,   Fluid Density
1.3 Properties of Water
 The Basic properties of water that are important to the study of
sediment transport are summarized in the following table:
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
 Size: Size is the most
basic and readily
measurable property of
sediment. Size has been
found to sufficiently
describe the physical
property of a sediment
particle for many practical
purposes. The size of
particle can be
determined by sieve size
analysis or Visual-
accumulation tube
analysis. The US
Standard sieve series is
shown in table.
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 The sediment grade scale suggested by Lane et al.
(1947), as shown in Table below has generally
been adopted as a description of particle size
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 Shape: Shape refers to c
the form or
configuration of a a
particle regardless of its
size or composition.
Corey shape factor is b
commonly used to
describe the shape. i.e.
c
Sp  (1.5)
ab
where : a, b & c are lengths of longest, intermediate
and short mutually perpendicular axes through the particle respectively
 The shape factor is 1 for sphere. Naturally worn
quartz particles have an average shape factor of 0.7
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 Density: The density of sediment particle refers to its
mineral composition, usually, specific gravity.
Waterborne sediment particles are primarily composed
of quartz with a specific gravity of 2.65.
 Fall Velocity: The fall velocity of sediment particle in
quiescent column of water is directly related to relative
flow conditions between sediment particle and water
during conditions of sediment entrainment, transportation
and deposition.
 It reflects the integrated result of size, shape, surface
roughness, specific gravity, and viscosity of fluid.
 Fall velocity of particle can be calculated from a balance of buoyant
weight and the resisting force resulting from fluid drag.
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 The general Drag Force (FD) equation is
2
FD  CD  A (1.6)
2
Where : FD  Drag Force, CD = Drag Coefficient
 =Density of water, A= Projected area of particle in the direction of fall and
 = Fall velocity
 The buoyant or submerged weight (Ws) of spherical sediment particle is

4 3
Ws  r  (  s   ) g (1.7)
3
Where : r  Particle radius,  s =Density of Sediment.

 Fall velocity can be solved from above two equations(1.6 & 1.7), once the
drag coefficient (CD) has been determined. The Drag Coefficient is a
function of Reynolds Number (Re) and Shape Factor.
1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 Theoretical Consideration of Drag Coefficient: For a very slow
and steady moving sphere in an infinite liquid at a very small
Reynolds Number, the drag coefficient can be expressed as
FD=6 μ π r ω (1.8)
Eq.(1.8) obtained by Stoke in solving the general Navier-Stoke Equation, with
the aid of shear function and neglecting inertia term completely. The CD is
thus
CD=24/Re (1.9)
Equation is acceptable for Reynolds Number Re < 1
From Eq. (1.6) and (1.9), Stoke’s (1851) equation can be obtained. i.e
FD=3 ρπ d ν ω (1.10)
Now from eqs (1.7) and (1.10), the terminal fall velocity of sediment particle is
1   s    gd 2
  
18     (1.11)
d= Sediment diameter
Eq. (1.11) is applicable if diameter of sediment is less than equal to 0.1mm
 1.4 Properties of a Single Sediment Particle
……(Cont.)
 Rubey’s Formula: Rubey(1933) introduced a formula for the
computation of fall velocity of gravel, sand, and silt particles. For
quartz particles with diameter greater than 1.0mm, the fall velocity
can be computed by,
1/ 2
     
  F  dg  s  (1.15)
   
Where : F= 0.79 for particles >1mm settling in water with temperature between 10o and 25o C
d= Diameter of particle
For smaller grains
1/ 2 1/ 2
   
   
2 36  2
36 2
F    -  (1.16)
3 3  s    3  s  
 gd     gd    
     
For d >2mm, the fall velocity in 16o C water can be approximated by
 =6.01d1/2 ( in ft/sec, d in ft) (1.17a)
 =3.32d1/2 ( in m/sec, d in m) (1.17b)
2. Incipient Motion Criteria
and Application
2.0 Incipient Motion
 2.1 Introduction:
 Incipient motion is important in the study of sediment
transport, channel degradation, and stable channel
design.
 Due to stochastic (random) nature of sediment
movement along an alluvial bed, it is difficult to define
precisely at what flow conditions a sediment particle will
begin to move. Consequently, it depends more or less
on an investigator’s definition of incipient motion. “initial
motion”, “several grains moving”, “weak movement”, and
“critical movement” are some of the terms used by
different investigators.
 In spite of these differences in definition, significant
progress has been made on the study of incipient
motion, both theoretically and experimentally.
 2.2 General Consideration:
 The forces acting on
spherical particle at the
bottom of an open
channel are shown in
figure.
 The forces to be considered are the Drag force FD, Lift force FL,
Submerged weight Ws, and Resistance force FR. A sediment
particle is in state of incipient motion when one of the following
condition is satisfied.
 FL=Ws (2.1)
 FD=FR (2.2)
 Mo=MR (2.3)
Where: Mo is overturning moment due to FD & FR.
MR is resisting moment due to FL & Ws
2.3 Incipient Motion Criteria
 Most incipient motion criteria are derived from
either a
 Shear stress or

 Velocity approach

Because of stochastic nature of bed load

movement,
 Probabilistic approaches have also been used.

 Other Criterion
SHEAR STRESS APPROACH …(Cont.)
 Shield’s Diagram
Shield (1936) applied dimensional analysis to determine
some dimensionless parameters and established his well
know diagram for incipient motion. The factors that are
important in the determination of incipient motion are the
shear stress, difference in density between sediment and
fluid, diameter, kinematic viscosity, and gravitation
acceleration.
 
1/ 2 where :
 c / f dU *
d  and  s and   Density of sediment and fluid
   = specific weight of water
c c U*  Shear Velocity

d (  s   f ) g d  (  s /  f  1)  c  Critical shear stress at intial motion

The Relationship between these two parameter is then

determined experimentally.
SHEAR STRESS APPROACH …(Cont.)
 Shield’s Diagram

 Figure shows the experimental results obtained by Shield and others at

incipient motion. At points above the curve, particles will move and at points
below the curve, the flow will be unable to move the particles.
3. Resistance to Flow and
Bed Forms
3. Resistance to Flow and Bed Forms
 3.1 Introduction: In the study of open channel
hydraulics with rigid boundaries, the roughness coefficient can
be treated as a constant. After the roughness coefficient has
been determined, a roughness formula can be applied directly
for the computation of velocity, slope or depth.
 In fluvial hydraulics, the boundary is movable and the
resistance to flow or roughness coefficient is variable and
resistance formula cannot be applied directly without the
knowledge of how the resistance coefficient will change under
different flow and sediment conditions. Extensive studies has
been made by different investigators for the determination of
roughness coefficient of alluvial beds. The results
investigators often differ from each other leaving uncertainties
regarding applicability and accuracy of their results.
 The lack of reliable and consistent method for the prediction
of the variation of the roughness coefficient makes the study
of fluvial hydraulics a difficult and challenging task.
3.3 Bed Forms
 There is strong interrelationship between resistance to
flow, bed configuration, and rate of sediment transport.
In order to understand the variation of resistance to flow
under different flow and sediment conditions, it is
necessary to know the definitions and the conditions
under which different bed forms exits.
 Terminology:
 Plane Bed: This is a plane bed surface without
elevations or depressions larger than the largest grains
of bed material
 Ripples: These are small bed forms with wave lengths
less than 30cm and height less than 5cm. Ripple profiles
are approx. triangular with long gentle upstream slopes
and short, steep downstream slopes.
3.3 Bed Forms …(Cont.)
 Bars: These are bed forms having lengths of the same
order as the channel width or greater, and heights
comparable to the mean depth of the generating flow.
There are point bars, alternate bars, middle bars and
tributary bars as shown in figure below.
3.3 Bed Forms …(Cont.)
 Dunes: These are bed forms smaller than bars but
larger than ripples. Their profile is out of phase with
water surface profile.
 Transitions: The transitional bed configuration is
generated by flow conditions intermediate between those
producing dunes and plane bed. In many cases, part of
the bed is covered with dunes while a plane bed covers
the remaining.
 Antidunes: these are also called standing waves. The
bed and water surface profiles are in phase. While the
flow is moving in the downstream direction, the sand
waves and water surface waves are actually moving in
the upstream direction.
 Chutes and Pools: These occur at relatively large
slopes with high velocities and sediment concentrations.
3.3 Bed Forms …(Cont.)
3.3 Bed Forms …(Cont.)
 Flow Regimes: The flow in sand-bed channel can be
classified as lower and upper flow regimes, with a
transition in between. The bed forms associated with
these flow regimes are as follows;
 Lower flow regime:
 Ripples
 Dunes

 Transition Zone:
 Bed configuration ranges from dunes to plane beds or to
antidunes
 Upper flow regime:
 Plane bed with sediment movement
 Antidunes
 Breaking antidunes
 Standing waves
 Chutes and pools
3.3 Bed Forms …(Cont.)
 Factors Affecting Bed forms:
 Depth
 Slope
 Density
 Size of bed material
 Gradation of bed material
 Fall velocity
 Channel cross sectional shape
 Seepage flow
3.4 Resistance to Flow with Movable Boundary
 The total roughness of alluvial channel consists of two
parts.
 1. Grain roughness or Skin roughness, that is directly
related to grain size
 2. Form roughness, that is due to existence of bed
forms and that changes with change of bed forms.
 If the Manning’s roughness coefficient is used, the total
coefficient n can be expressed as
n=n’+n”
Where: n’= Manning’s roughness coefficient due to grain roughness
n”= Manning’s roughness coefficient due to form roughness
The Value of n’ is proportional to the sediment
diameter to the sixth power. However there is no
reliable method for computation of n”. Our instability
to determine or predict variation of form roughness
poses a major problem in the study of alluvial
hydraulics.
3.4 Resistance to Flow with Movable Boundary
…(Cont.)
 Surface Drag and Form Drag: Similar to
roughness the shear stress or drag force acting along an alluvial
bed can be divided into two parts

      
   S  R  R 
Where :  =Total Drag Force acting along an alluvial bed
  &    Drag force due to grain and form roughness
R & R  Hydraulic radii due to grain and form roughness
Bed Load Transport
 Introduction:
 When the flow conditions satisfy or exceed the criteria
for incipient motion, sediment particles along the alluvial
bed will start move.

 If the motion of sediment is “rolling”, “sliding” or “jumping”

along the bed, it is called bed load transport

 Generally the bed load transport of a river is about 5-

25% of that in suspension. However for coarser material
higher percentage of sediment may be transported as
bed load.
4.2 SHEAR STRESS APPROACH …(Cont.)
 Shields’ Approach:
 In his study of incipient motion, Shield obtain semi empirical equation
for bed-load which is given as
qb s   c
 10
q S ( s   ) d
Where : qb and q = bed load and water discharge per unit width
   DS
d  Sediment particle diameter
 s &   Specific weights of sediment and water

 Note: The above equation is dimensionally homogenous, and can be

used for any system of units. The critical shear stress can be estimated
from shields’ diagram.
 4.3 ENERGY SLOPE APPROACH …(Cont.)
 Meyer-Peter and Muller’s Approach:
 After 14 years of research and analysis, Meyer-Peter and Muller
(1948) transformed the Meyer-Peter formula into Meyer-Peter and
Mullers’ Formula
3/ 2 2/3
 ks   1/3  ( s   ) 
   SR  0.047   s    d  0.25( )  qb    Metric Units 
 Kr  g  s 
Where :  s &   Specific weights of sediment and water [Metric Tons/m3 ]
R= Hydraulic Radius [ m]
S  Energy Slope and,
d  Mean particle diameter
q b = Bed load rate in weight per unit time and width [(Metric tons/s)/m]
 ks 
  S  the kind of slope, which is adjusted such that only a portion of the total energy
 Kr 
loss ,namely that due to the grain resistance Sr, is responsible for bed load motion.
4.3 ENERGY SLOPE APPROACH …(Cont.)
 Meyer-Peter and Muller’s Approach:
 The slope energy can be found by Strickler’s Formula

V2 V2
S  2 4/3 & Sr  2 4 / 3 then
Ks R Kr R
1/ 2
Ks  Sr 
 
Kr  S 
However test results showed the relationship to be of form
3/ 2
 Ks   Sr 
    ,
 Kr   S 
The coefficient K r was determined by Muller as,
26
K r  1/ 6 ,
d90
where : d90  Size of sediment for which 90% of the material is finer
Numerical Problem
 Q. The sediment load was measured from a river, with
average depth D=1.44 ft and average width W=71 ft. The
bed load is fairly uniform, with medium size d50=0.283
mm, average velocity V=3.20f t/sec, slope S=0.00144,
water temperature T=5.6oC and measured bed load
concentration is Cm=1610 ppm by weight. Calculate the
bed load proposed by shields and Meyer-Peter and
Mullers and compare the results with measurement

 Solution
 Depth of river, D= 1.44 ft
 Width, W= 71 ft
 Sediment size, d50 = 0.283 mm
 Flow velocity, V=3.2 ft/sec
 Slope, S= 0.00144
 Water temp, T=5.6oC
 Measured bed load concentration, Cm =1610 ppm by weight
 Discharge= AV=(71x1.44)x3.2= 327 ft3/sec
 Discharge/width , q=327/71=4.61 ft3/sec/ft
 Measured bed load =qm=(Q/W)Cm(6.24x10-5)=0.46 lb/sec/ft
Numerical Problem
 Shields Formula
qb s 10(   c )

qS   s    d50
   DS  62.4 1.44  0.00144
 0.129 lb / ft 2
Using Figure to calculate c
U *  gDS  32.2  1.44  0.00144
 0.26 ft / s
U *d 0.26  9.29  104
Re    15.1
 1.613  10 5

From figure Dimensionless shear stress

c
=0.031   c  0.031  2.65  62.4  - 62.4 9.29  10-4  0.003lb / ft 2
( s - )d
10(0.130 - 0.003) 0.00144  62.4  4.61
qb 
 2.65  62.4 - 62.4 9.29 10 -4
2.65  62.4
 0.033  ft 3
/ s  / ft

qb  0.033 s  5.46  lb / s  / ft
Numerical Problem
 Meyer-Peter and Muller Formula

3/ 2 2/3
k    (   ) 
 s  SR  0.047   s    d  0.25( )1/3  s qb    Metric Units 
 Kr  g  s 
62.4  0.454  0.0001
  62.4lb / ft 3  3
 1 metric ton / m3
0.3048
 s  2.65(1)  2.65 metric ton / m3
R  D  1.44 ft  0.44 m
d  0.000283m
26 26 26
Kr  1/6
 1/6
  101.7
d90 d50 0.0002861/6
V2 (3.2  0.3048) 2
S r  2 4/3   0.00027
Kr R 101.7  0.44
2 4/3

3/ 2 3/ 2
K  S   Ks 
Since  s   r   S  S r  0.00027
 Kr  S   Kr 
Numerical Problem
 Meyer-Peter and Muller Formula …(Cont.)

3/2 2/3
k    (   ) 
 s  SR  0.047   s    d  0.25( )  s
1/3
qb    Metric Units 
 Kr  g  s 
2/3
 (   ) 
1(0.00027)0.44  0.047(2.65  1)  0.000283  0.25  0.1021/3  s qb 
  s 
2/3
 ( s   ) 
 qb   0.0008376  qb  0.0000389  Metric ton / s  / m
  s 
qb  0.0000389  2205  0.3048  0.0261  lb / s  / ft
5. Suspended Load
Transport
5.0 Suspended Load
 Introduction:
 Suspended sediment refers to sediment that is supported
by the upward component of turbulent currents and stays
in suspension for an appreciable length of time.
 In natural rivers sediments are mainly transported as
suspended load.
6. Total Load Transport
6.0 Total Load Transport
 6.1 Introduction:
 Based on Mode of Transportation:
 Total load = Bed-load + Suspended load

 Based on Source of Material Being Transported:

 Total load = Bed-load Material + Wash load

 Bed material is the sediment mixture of which the stream bed is composed off.
Bed material load is that part of total sediment load which is composed of
sediment sizes which are found in stream bed and in sand bed rivers. It is equal
to the sediment transport capacity of flow.

 Wash load consists of material that are finer than those found on bed. Its amount
mainly depends upon the supply from watershed, not on the hydraulics of river.
Note: Most total load equations are actually total bed material load equations. In the comparison between
computed and measured total bed-material, wash load should be subtracted from measurement before
comparison in most of cases.
6.0 Total Load Transport
 Engelund & Hansen’s Approach:
 They applied Bagnold’s stream power concept
and similarity principle to obtain a sediment
transport function.
1/ 2 3/ 2
 d 2
  o 
qs  0.05 sV 2
  
 g   s /   1     s    d50 
Where:qs  Total sediment load (lb/s)/ft
 o  Bed shear stress= DS
 &  s  Specific weight of water and sediment
V  Velocity of flow
6.0 Total Load Transport
 Ackers and White’s Approach:
 Based on Bagnold’s stream power concept they
applied dimensional analysis and obtain the
following relation ship.
1/ 2 1 n
   s   V 
Fgr  U  gd   1  
n

    32 log  D / d  
*
 
Where: Fgr = Mobility number for sediment,
U* =Shear Velocity,
n=Transition component, depending on sediment size
d=Sediment particle size and D=Water depth,
   s/ -1 
1/ 3

dgr=d  
  2

Where:υ=Kinematic Viscosity
6.0 Total Load Transport
 Ackers and White’s Approach: …(Cont.)
A general dimensionless sediment transport For Transition zone with 1<dgr  60
n  1.00  0.56 log d gr
function can be expressed as
A  0.23d gr1/ 2  0.14
Ggr  f  Fgr , Dgr  ;
9.66
n m  1.34
XD  U *  d gr
Ggr    also
d s /   V  log C  2.86 log d gr   log d gr   3.53
2

m
 Fgr  For Coarse Sediment, d gr >60
G gr =C   1
A  n=0.00
Where:X=rate of sediment transport in terms A=0.17
of mass flow per unit mass flow rate m=1.5
i.e Concentration by weight of fluid flux C=0.025

The Values of n, A, m, and C were determined by Ackers and White based on best
curves of laboratory data with sediment size greater than 0.04mm and Froud
Number less than 0.8.
6.0 Total Load Transport
 Yang Approach: He used concept of unit stream
power( velocity slope product) and obtained
following expression by running regression analysis
for 463 sets of laboratory data
d U
log Cts  5.435-0.286log - 0.457log * 
 
 d U*   VS Vcr S 
1.799-0.409log -0.314log  log  -
       
Where: Cts =Total sand concentration (in ppm by weight)
=Fall velocity,  =Kinematic Viscosity, S= Channel slope

Vcr 2.5 Ud
  0.66 for 1.2< *  70
 U d  
log  *   0.06
  
U*d
=2.05 for  70

Numerical Problem
 Q. The following data was collected from a river:
 Median particle size, d50=0.283 mm
 Velocity, V=3.7 ft/sec
 Slope, S= 0.00169
 Water Temperature, T=14.4oC=57.9oF
 Average Depth, D= 1.73 ft
 Channel Width, W=71 ft
 The measured total bed-material concentration was
1900 ppm by weight. Assume the bed material is fairly
uniform
 Compute the total bed material concentration by the
following methods.
 Yang (1973)
 Ackers and White
 Engelund and Hansen
Numerical Problem
 Yang’s (1973) Method
d U
log Cts  5.435 - 0.286 log - 0.457 log * 
 
 d U*   VS Vcr S 
 1.799 - 0.409 log - 0.314 log  log  - 
       
At a temperature =14.4 o C,  =1.26  10-5 ft 2 / s
From figure, assuming a shape factor of 0.7 the fall velocity is
  3.7 cm / s  0.12 ft / sec
Assuming the river is wide(D=R), the shear velocity is
U*= gDS  32.2  1.73  0.00169  0.307 ft / s
0.307  9.28  10 4
U *d
Shear Velocity Reynolds No. Re=   22.6
 1.26  10 -5
V
 cr can be determined by following eq.

Vcr 2.5 2.5
  0.66 =  0.66  2.59
 U d  log  22.6   0.06
log  *   0.06
  
Numerical Problem
 Yang’s (1973) Method
Numerical Problem
 Yang’s (1973) Method

0.12  9.28  10 4 0.307

log Cts  5.435 - 0.286 log - 0.457 log 
1.26  10 -5
0.12
 0.12  9.28  10 4 0.307 
 1.799 - 0.409 log - 0.314 log 
 1.26  10 -5
0.12 
 3.7  0.00169 
 log  - 2.59  0.00169 
 0.12 
log Cts  3.282
Cts  1910 ppm
Numerical Problem
 Ackers and White Method
1/ 3
 g   s /   1   32.2 2.65  1 
 
1/ 3
4  
d gr  d    9.28  10  6.44
  2
  1.26  10 5  
2

 
The parameter, m, A, n and C are
9.66 9.66
m=  1.34   1.34  2.84
d gr 6.44
0.23 0.23
A  0.14   0.14  0.23
d gr 6.44
n  1  0.56 log d gr  1  0.56 log 6.44  0.55
 2.86 log d gr  (log d gr ) 2  3.53  2.86 log 6.44  (log 6.44)2  3.53
C  10  
 10  
 0.013
Numerical Problem
 Ackers and White Method
Since U *  0.307 ft / s and  =10, the mobility parameter is
1 n
U n  V 
Fgr  *
 
 gd   s /   1   32 log  D / d  
1/ 2

1 0.55
0.307 n  3.7 
Fgr   
32.2   9.28  10   2.65  1  32 log 10  1.73 / 9.28  10  
1/ 2 4
4

Fgr  1.01
The dimensionless sediment transport rate is
m 2.84
 Fgr   1.01 
G gr  C   1   0.013   1   0.43
 A   0.23 
and now X:
G gr d ( s /  ) 0.43  9.28  10 -4 (2.65)
X= n
 0.55
 0.0024
D(U * /V) 1.73(0.307/3.7)
Hence Ct  2400 ppm
Numerical Problem
 Engelund and Hansen’s Method
1/ 2 3/ 2
 d 2
  o 
qs  0.05 sV 2
  
 g   s /   1     s    d 50 
 s  165 lb / ft 3
 at 14.4o C  62.38 lb / ft 3
 o   DS  62.38(1.73)0.00169  0.182 lb / ft 2
1/ 2
  9.28  10  4 2   
3/ 2
0.182
qs  0.05(165)3.7 2    4 
 32.2 1.65    165  62.38  9.28  10 
 
qs  1.25  lb / s  / ft
Wqs 71(1.25)
Ct    3120 ppm
 WDV 62.38(71)1.73(3.7)
Collection of sediment data
 Bed Load
 Suspended load
 Total sediment
Site Selection Criteria
 The site should be representative of sediment transport
processes in that reach of the stream.
 Sediments should be uniformly distributed in the cross
section.
 The sediment transport distribution should be stable over
time.
 The sampling site should be located at or near a stream
gauging station in order to relate sediment
concentrations to flow.
Site Selection Criteria
 There should be no major inflow from tributaries between
the sediment measuring section and the gauge that
could affect the relationship between sediment
concentration and flow.
 The site chosen should be morphologically stable, and
the slope and the width of the stream should be constant
both upstream and downstream of the sampling site.
 The sampling cross section should not be located on a
river bend or in areas of active bank erosion.
Site Selection Criteria
 The sampling cross section should be located away from
the confluence of two streams.
 Sampling sites are often located at a bridge or cableway
to ensure accessibility and to minimize costs.
Collection of Bed Load

Helley Smith Bedload Sampler

Suspended load

DEPTH-INTEGRATING
SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT
WADING-TYPE SAMPLER, MODEL
DH-48, 59, 49):
Total Load (Bed Material Load)

Rotary-Bucket Bed Material Sampler

Total Load (Bed Material Load)

Piston Type Bed Sampler US BMH-53 Rotating Bucket Samplers US BMH-60

Data Analysis
 Sediment size distribution (d50, d90 etc)
 Sediment load versus time curve
 Sediment discharge versus water
discharge curve (Sediment rating Curve)
Sediment rating Curve