Total load transport formula for flow in alluvial channels

Abstract

A user-friendly total bed-material load transport formula for flow in alluvial channels under equilibrium transport conditions has been developed based on dimensional analysis. The main advantages of this formula are its ease of computation, accuracy in prediction, and the wide range of application. The total sediment discharge gt is computed directly and is linearly related to the new total load transport parameter, TT. The latter involves variables that can be easily measured in field conditions, i.e., flow depth, mean flow velocity, energy slope, median sediment size and density, and water temperature. The factor of proportionality k in the formula has been checked for a wide range of hydraulic conditions and it remains a constant equal to 12.5. Comparisons between the computed and measured total sediment discharge indicate that the predictions are good.