MPC
Project Details

Title:	Measurement of Turbulent Flow Characteristics and Bed Shear Stress in Laboratory Soil Erosion Tests
Principal Investigators:	Francis Ting
University:	South Dakota State University
Status:	Active
Year:	2019
Grant #:	69A3551747108 (FAST Act)
Project #:	MPC-596
RiP #:	01701892
RH Display ID:	15136
Keywords:	bridges, cohesive soils, erosion, laboratory tests, roughness, scour, shear stress, test facilities, test procedures, turbulence, velocimeters

Abstract

The objective of this research project is to measure the characteristics of turbulent flow over an eroding soil sample in an erosion function apparatus (EFA) type facility. A gravel bed will be installed in an open-channel flume to produce fully developed turbulent flow over a rough bed. The turbulent flow will pass over a prepared soil sample housed in a floor recess. The velocity profile over the gravel bed and the soil sample will be measured using a Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) system. PIV measurements will also be conducted with the soil sample replaced by a smooth bed to provide a baseline for comparison purpose. The measured data will be used to quantify the effects of surface roughness and depth of the soil erosion on the induced bed shear stress and soil erosion rates. The outcome of this experimental investigation will be an improved laboratory setup for measuring soil erodibility. A future extension of this project would use the improved EFA facility to develop a soil erodibility chart for South Dakota soils. This information should be useful for assessing the susceptibility of soil erosion and scour in highway projects.

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