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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Doctor of Engineering: Civil Engineering and Surveying, Durban University of Technology. Durban. South Africa, 2015. / Among various gravel roads distress prediction models in existence, a gravel loss prediction model is considered critical in selecting the optimal re-gravelling schedule for effective maintenance management of gravel roads. However, due to the number of variables contributing to deterioration of gravel roads and hence gravel loss, gravel loss prediction models are not readily transferable from one geographical location to another, particularly if the locations in question differ in climatic condition, gravel material characteristics, quality of construction and maintenance, terrain, traffic characteristics and driver behaviours. Addressing the aforementioned local characteristics pose a challenge to existing international gravel loss prediction models when employed locally, resulting in inaccurate prediction of gravel loss. Hence the need for a gravel loss prediction model to be formulated locally so as to address local characteristics influencing gravel roads deterioration. The main objective of this study was to formulate locally, a statistically accurate gravel loss prediction model for marginal gravel materials employed to surface gravel roads in Iringa region. The intention was to address local characteristics influencing gravel roads deterioration in the region. To promote research on gravel roads management, the author has published seven papers and presented ten papers in established journals and conferences respectively, as indicated in the Appendix 13. It is author expectation that, given the right impetus, locally formulated gravel loss prediction models can be incorporated, as one of a tool, in gravel roads management systems (GRMS). The literature review focused on the gravel road condition surveys, modelling exercises, gravel loss, and a review of existing gravel loss prediction models. The literature review also examined the version of GRMS currently practiced in Tanzania by its road organizations. The study used factorial experimental design. Parameters which are deemed to influence the gravel loss were collected and studied. A questionnaire was used to study the status of gravel road MMS in Tanzania. The data obtained from the questionnaire responses were analysed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. A detailed gravel road condition survey of each 300 m long test section was carried out during site visits. The measurement of gravel loss through the change in average height loss formed a crucial part of the study. The modelling of a gravel loss prediction model was performed using pavemetric principles, the term coined by this study, which is principally based on econometric principles. From the analysis of questionnaire responses, it was evident that each Tanzania Roads Agency (TANROADS) regional office and district council works department needs to have a unique MMS and GRMS which reflect their operating capacity. The results of the condition survey led to the formulation of a new range of grading coefficient (GC) to suit the local marginal materials. The gravel loss survey results assisted in establishing gravel loss thresholds. The thresholds were based on the rate of gravel loss noted in the study. These thresholds can be employed to enhance the quality control of gravel roads construction and maintenance practices. The study formulated a gravel loss prediction model for Iringa region. The process utilized average daily traffic, climate, and derivatives of sieve analysis and Atterberg limits. The model is statistically significant at 1 % level. The model gives a constant gravel loss of 0.1 mm per annum regardless the state of the six variables in the model. This was attributed to autonomous loss that is the amount of gravel material lost through mechanical and chemical weathering. Recommendations include the need for gravel loss prediction models to reflect local characteristics influencing the deterioration of the gravel roads in question and the modelling capacity of local road agencies. Areas for further studies are highlighted.

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This thesis investigates the influence of bed material shape on sediment transport in gravel-bed rivers. The approach involves a combined series of field and laboratory experiments. Magnetic tracing experiments were carried out at three experimental sites in two Pennine gravel-bed streams. The specific aim of these experiments was to quantify the selective transport of different shapes of coarse river gravel and determine their spatial sorting within a natural stream channel. A total of 900 tracers in three size groups (32- 64 mm, 64-128 mm and greater than 128 mm) and four shape classes (spheres, blades, rod and discs) were prepared for each of the three sites. In die laboratory, tilting table experiments were carried out to clarify the mechanistic behaviour of different particle shapes, sizes and orientations on a variety of artificial and naturally formed bed roughnesses. Using strobe-light photography visualization experiments were undertaken with natural and artificially-moulded gravel-size particles of differing shape, size and weight in order to investigate the influence of shape on settling, grain impact, initial motion and transport paths of gravel-size particles. Results of the magnetic tracing experiments showed that there was both size and shape selectivity in bedload transport. Preferential movement occurred in die small and medium particle size classes with tracers concentrated along the channel thalweg. Sphere-shaped particles were transported the greatest distance and in greatest numbers. Rods also moved preferentially, while discs showed a lesser degree of transport and blades hardly moved at all. Results from the tilting table experiments highlight the importance of roundness as well as particle form and particle orientation in continuing thresholds of entertainment. In terms of size, friction angle was found to depend on the ratio of the diameter of the test particle to be moved to that it rests upon (d/D). Shape and orientation were found to be important parameters influencing friction angles. On a given bed roughness and for a constant size non-spherical test particles showed greater friction angles than spherical ones. A very clear difference was found in friction angle distibutions between sphere, transverse rod and other flat-shaped particles, namely, blades with parallel and transverse orientations, disc, and rod with parallel orientations. Visualisation experiments indicated that shape is an important particle characteristic that has a significant effect on settling rates and also the mode of near bed transport. These effects increase with greater particle sizes. The departure of a particle from a sphere leads to a decrease in its settling velocity, Experiments, across a range of test sizes showed that when compared to a sphere of equivalent weight and density, sphere and rod-shaped particles tend to settle the fastest and move by rolling. Discs and blades showed slower settling rates and, in most instances, moved by sliding. Experiments carried out with irregularly-shaped, natural particles show greater variability in settling behaviour and irregular patterns of motion. For every size group, sphere and rod shaped particles have lower critical angles of initial motion flian blade and disc-shapes. Regardless of shape, greater bed roughness, or decreasing particle size results in an increase in the critical angle for motion.

Thesis advisor: Noah P. Snyder / River channel morphology in northern New England depends on channel position relative to glacial geomorphology and history. This thesis considers three paraglacial Maine rivers: the West Branch of the Pleasant River (WBPR), a steep inland imposed-form tributary of the Piscataquis River, and the Narraguagus and Sheepscot rivers, two coastal low-gradient rivers. I use a simple model based on the Shields and Manning equations to predict median bed grain size in these recently deglaciated watersheds. The main objectives of this study are to: (1) understand how bedrock controls on the longitudinal profile and sediment inputs impact substrate grain size and channel morphology in the WBPR; (2) apply a model predicting substrate grain size based on digital elevation model (DEM)-derived geometric channel parameters; (3) compare the results from the high gradient WBPR to previously studied low-gradient coastal Maine rivers; and (4) explore the implications of my findings on channel and habitat restoration in paraglacial rivers. I use standard and lidar (light detection and ranging) digital elevation models (DEMs) and spatial analyses to measure channel parameters necessary to predict bed grain size and compare them to field measurements. Predicted bed grain size falls within a factor of two of the field-measured median in ~70% of the study sites. The model performs best in supply-limited alluvial single-thread channel segments with gravel-cobble lag deposit beds, and is less successful in transport-limited depositional segments with relatively fine beds and greater channel variability. Channel segments that are transitional between these two cases (intermediate channel complexity and grain size) are associated with intermediate grain size prediction accuracy. Model failures occur in segments that deviate from the single-thread gravel-bed channel type, and may indicate areas to focus restoration efforts. This study builds on previous research on low-gradient coastal rivers in Maine, and has wide application to future research or restoration projects concerned with sediment mobilization and fluvial ecology. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Geology and Geophysics.

This thesis investigates the potential application of a two-dimensional depth-averaged sediment transport and morphological model on a large braided river system and examines its capability to build a computational gravel budget and predict the morphological changes. The Lower Fraser River gravel reach is characterized by an irregularly sinuous single-thread channel split around large gravel bars and vegetated islands, and riverbed aggradation because of gradual gravel deposition over the years, bank hardening and channel confinement. Gravel removal from selected locations is considered as one of the viable management options to maintain the safety and integrity of the existing flood protection system along the reach. Therefore, any gravel removal plan in this reach requires a reliable sediment budget estimation and identification of deposition zones. It is also required to examine the possible future morphological changes with and without gravel removal and to assess its impact on design flood level. The main objective of this study is to build a computational sediment (gravel) budget for the 33 km long gravel reach that extends from Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge to Sumas Mountain near Chilliwack. In this study, a two-dimensional depth-averaged curvilinear mathematical model MIKE 21C was modified and applied to predict the gravel bedload transport and detect the change of morphology for the next 10 years period. A gravel transport formula was coded and added into the MIKE 21C model. Sediment transport code modification and application has been done side by side in a trial and error fashion. This is the first use of a conventional two-dimensional depth-averaged model for the entire gravel reach of the Lower Fraser River within affordable computational effort. The model application was successful in term of gravel budgeting, aggradation and degradation zones identification and long-term morphological change prediction, with some limitations and drawbacks. Further modification and model testing with recent bedload data is recommended.

Rivers are said to be self-shaping when a stream is able to create its own morphological features. This occurs when bankfull Shields stress (τbf*) is greater than reference Shields stress (τr*). Shields stress in the channel is affected during upstream progression by the height and width of the water decreasing, the slope becoming steeper, and the bed material becoming coarser. Bankfull Shields stress decreased progressing upstream while reference Shields stress increased due to increased slope. The self-shaping portions of the Conasauga occur in areas where the relative roughness of the bed material is fully submerged or greater than 5. Once the relative submergence is no longer fully submerged the stream channel no longer produces enough bankfull Shields stress to overcome the reference Shields stress. This occurs about midway through the study. This study allows better classification of streams using Shields stress and better understanding of channel processes for hydrologic engineering.

This study investigates channel bed scour and fill as a result of individual flood events in a gravel-bed channel. Given the complexity of interactions between hydraulic force, the texture and arrangement of bed material, and input of sediment to a particular point of the channel bed, study objectives were pursued with the view that bed material movement is a stochastic phenomenon. A two-year field program was conducted in Carnation Creek, a small gravel-bed stream draining 11 km2 on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In the 900 m study reach, an array of measurement techniques, including scour indicators, magnetically-tagged stones, and conventional survey, yielded information about the fluctuations of the channel bed elevation and movement of scoured material for individual flooding periods. Frequency distributions of scour and fill depths associated with individual flooding periods are adequately modeled by negative exponential functions over the range of flood peak magnitudes observed in Carnation Creek. Analysis of scour depths measured in streams on the Queen Charlotte Islands demonstrates the applicability of the exponential model to flooding periods and flood seasons. Further, exploratory analysis suggests that a regional scour depth model is possible. Power functions relating mean depths of scour and fill to flood peak discharge show that depth increases with an increase in peak magnitude. Observed maximum scour depths in flooding periods are linked, in general, to streambed conditions influenced by antecedent flow conditions. These patterns in scour and fill exist within an overall pattern of increasing variability in depths of scour and fill as peak discharge increases. Evaluation of a heuristic model for mean travel distance as a function of particle size proposed by Church and Hassan (1992) provides convincing evidence for its general merit. Mean travel distance decreases inversely with particle size as size increases beyond the median diameter of subsurface sediment. This trend is consistent in both individual flooding periods as well as flood seasons. The majority of material finer than the median diameter of surface sediment is supplied from subsurface material, which influences the travel distances of these finer fractions because of burial. Computation of volumetric transport rates of bed material, based on the active scour depth and width of the channel bed, the virtual velocity of particle movement, and sediment porosity, suggests the potential for building scale correlations with streamflow, which have usually been defined by bedload sampling during floods. Error analysis indicates that determination of active width contributes most significantly to the imprecision of transport rate estimates. Results underscore the stochastic nature of sediment transport in gravel-bed channels.