Understanding how particle scale structures impact river bed stability and the initiation of sediment transport is critical. These structures alter flow resistance both spatially and temporally and can dramatically impact sediment transport.
Start date: 1/1/2014
End date: 1/7/2017
The movement of material on a river bed is a balance between the flow strength and the sediments’ ability to resist this force. Typically the stability of a river bed has been related to its grain size. Recent research has demonstrated that the structure of bed material exerts an equally important role in determining stability. Characterising bed structure has been difficult but this project will employ new 3D CT scanning techniques and Terrestrial Laser Scanning to quantify measures both in the field and laboratory.